US3924855A - Tethered ball apparatus - Google Patents

Tethered ball apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US3924855A
US3924855A US489065A US48906574A US3924855A US 3924855 A US3924855 A US 3924855A US 489065 A US489065 A US 489065A US 48906574 A US48906574 A US 48906574A US 3924855 A US3924855 A US 3924855A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
line
support members
ball
pair
attached
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US489065A
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English (en)
Inventor
Hillius Pretorius
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
JET BALL EIENDOMS DEPERK
Original Assignee
JET BALL EIENDOMS DEPERK
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by JET BALL EIENDOMS DEPERK filed Critical JET BALL EIENDOMS DEPERK
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3924855A publication Critical patent/US3924855A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B69/00—Training appliances or apparatus for special sports
    • A63B69/0073—Means for releasably holding a ball in position; Balls constrained to move around a fixed point, e.g. by tethering
    • A63B69/0079—Balls tethered to a line or cord
    • A63B69/0084—Balls tethered to a line or cord the line or cord being fixed to at least two points

Definitions

  • a ball game apparatus which includes a pair of sup- [51] mt A63B 69/40 port members adapted for mountlng above ground level an elongated flexible lin e extending between the F l [58] N d of Search 2 g 212 support members; a ball slldably suspended from the line so as to be displaceable by hitting along the line; and a weighted element attached to at least one end of [56] References Cited the llne and adapted res1l1ently to malntam the line UNITED STATES PATENTS taut between the support members.
  • a ball game apparatus which includes a pair of support members adapted for mounting above ground level; an elongated flexible line extending between the support members; a ball slidably suspended from the line so as to be displaceable by hitting along the line; and a weighted element attached to at least one end of the line and adapted resiliently to maintain the line taut between the support members.
  • the apparatus may include a pair of posts on which the support members are mounted.
  • the posts may be adjustably elongatable.
  • the posts may have pointed ends to facilitate their insertion into the ground. Additionally, or alternatively, the posts may be supported by stays.
  • a pair of brackets may be provided having mounting means for attaching them to a surface and on which the support members are mounted.
  • the ball may be slidably suspended from the line via a flexible element, such as nylon string, attached to a slider element encircling the line.
  • the slider element may be in the form of a ring or tube freely slidable along the line.
  • the slider element may be substantially of U-shape having two spaced looped ends, each surrounding the line.
  • a swivel connection may be provided intermediate the ball and the slider element to prevent twirling of the flexible element.
  • the support members may be in the form of freely rotatable pulleys over which the line is strung, each weighted element being attached to the respective downwardly depending ends of the line.
  • the apparatus may include a plurality of bats or racquets for hitting the ball to and fro along the line.
  • FIG. 1 shows a schematic side elevation of a ball game apparatus in accordance with the invention
  • FIG. 2 shows a three dimensional view of the manner of attachment of a ball in the apparatus of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 shows a side elevation of a further form of a post for a ball game
  • FIG. 4 shows an end view of the top end of the post shown in FIG. 3;
  • FIG. 5 shows a side elevation of a bracket and support member in a further form of a ball game apparatus
  • FIG. 6 shows a three dimensional view of a further form of slider element which can be used in the ball game apparatus.
  • reference numeral 10 generally indicates a ball game apparatus, which includes an elongated line 12 suspended above ground level and strung around a pair of pulleys 14 mounted on a pair of posts 16.
  • the posts 16 comprise a plurality of elements joined together spigot and socket fashion. The posts are placed on the ground and supported by stays 18.
  • the line 12 is kept resiliently taut by means of a pair of weights 20 attached to the respective ends of the line 12. As illustrated in FIG. 1, line 12 is maintained essentially horizontally so that the slope of line 12 does not impart any material tendency for slider element 30 to 2 favor moving in a particular direction, i.e. toward one post 16, along the line, as opposed to moving in the opposite direction, i.e. toward the other post 16.
  • the line 12 may be of nylon gut, stainless steel wire, or the like.
  • the central portion of the line extending between the posts is of stainless steel wire, while the downwardly depending portions are of nylon.
  • a ball 22 is connected to a flexible element 24, e.g. in the form of a length of nylon string.
  • a flexible element 24 e.g. in the form of a length of nylon string.
  • One end of the nylon string 24 is passed diametrically through the ball and knotted at 26.
  • the other end is connected to the looped end of a swivel connection 28.
  • the other end of the swivel connection 28 is slidably mounted on a U-shaped slider element 30, itself having a pair of looped ends 32 surrounding the line 12.
  • FIG. 3 a further form of post 16 is shown.
  • the upper end of the post 16 is telescopically extensible and retractable relative to the lower portion of the post and can be locked in any desired position by means'of a cam-type locking arrangement 34.
  • the weights 20 are tubular and slidable along the lower portion of the post 16.
  • the line 12 is attached at each end to the weights 20 by a ring 36.
  • the lower end of the post 16 is tapered and has a flange 38 for facilitating the insertion of the lower end of the post into the ground.
  • the stays 18 are in the form of flexible lines attached at one end to ring formations 40 on the post and having rings 42 at their other ends.
  • the stays 18 are anchored in the ground by pegs 44.
  • a stop formation 46 is provided a short distance away from the pulleys 14 at each end of the line 12.
  • the stop formations 46 merely serve to prevent the slider element 32 of FIG. 1 becoming entangled with the pulleys 14.
  • the pulley 14 is mounted between a U- shaped bracket 48 so as to be freely rotatable on an axle 50.
  • a roller bearing or the like may be mounted intermediate the pulley l4 and the axle 50.
  • FIG. 5 an apparatus is shown whereby the game can be played indoors.
  • the pulleys 14 are mounted on posts, they are mounted on brackets 52 which are fixed on opposed wall surfaces in a room by means of nuts 54 fitted to studs fixed in the wall.
  • slider element 30 is shown in FIG. 6, a further form of slider element 30 is shown.
  • the slider element is in the form of an elongated tube which encircles the line 12 so as to be freely slidable along the line 12.
  • the ball 22 (not shown) is again attached via a swivel connection to a wire loop 56 attached to the tube.
  • the poles are erected, as shown, a distance of, say, 10 to 15 meters apart. Two or more players, standing between the poles, can then hit the ball to and fro along the line 12.
  • the ball 22 can be hit in arcs 3 so that the central portion of the line 12 is displaced laterally over a range of up to 2 meters about its normal position, thereby adding to the interest in and skill required for the game.
  • the invention provides a ball game apparatus which can be readily erected and played anywhere, indoors or outdoors, and which can be readily dismantled and stored in a confined space.
  • a ball game apparatus which includes a pair of support members adapted for mounting above ground level; an elongated flexible line having at least one free end and extending essentially horizontally between the support members; a ball slidably suspended from the line intermediate the support members so as to be displaceable along the line by hitting; and a separate weighted element attached to each free end of the line and adapted to maintain the line resiliently taut between the support members; the line being disposed so that it does not have a slope which favors displacement of the ball in a particular direction along the line.
  • An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 which includes a pair of posts on which the support members are mounted.
  • a ball game apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the elongated flexible line has ends which depend downwardly.
  • a ball game apparatus which includes a pair of support members adapted for mounting above ground level; an elongated flexible line having downwardlydepending free ends and extending essentially horizontally between the support members; a ball slidably suspended from the line intermediate the support members so as to be displaceable along the line by hitting; and wherein a weighted element is attached to each downwardly-depending free end of the line, adapted to maintain the line resiliently taut between the support members and adapted to apply a controlled degree of resilience to the line; the line, when the ball is hit, being displaceable in any one of a plurality of radial directions at its point of interconnection, for the time being, with the suspended ball.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Pinball Game Machines (AREA)
US489065A 1973-07-25 1974-07-16 Tethered ball apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3924855A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA00735082A ZA735082B (en) 1973-07-25 1973-07-25 Ball game

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3924855A true US3924855A (en) 1975-12-09

Family

ID=25566625

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US489065A Expired - Lifetime US3924855A (en) 1973-07-25 1974-07-16 Tethered ball apparatus

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3924855A (es)
AR (1) AR204722A1 (es)
AU (1) AU7156574A (es)
DE (1) DE2435235A1 (es)
ZA (1) ZA735082B (es)

Cited By (27)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4216960A (en) * 1977-03-08 1980-08-12 Nicholls Oswald C J Tethered ball tennis practice apparatus
US4342459A (en) * 1980-03-28 1982-08-03 Christopher P. Bath Tethered ball game apparatus having eccentric tensioning means
US4523762A (en) * 1984-10-12 1985-06-18 Garner Sr Ronald S Game apparatus
US4902012A (en) * 1988-01-11 1990-02-20 Shigeru Kita Ball game practice apparatus
US4944513A (en) * 1989-03-07 1990-07-31 Zentner John R Ball batting game apparatus
US4948137A (en) * 1989-05-19 1990-08-14 Marcial Alvarez Tethered playing device
US5348293A (en) * 1994-02-17 1994-09-20 Smith Alvin H Tethered tennis game
US5375849A (en) * 1993-07-02 1994-12-27 Sabourin; Guy Swimming pool game
US5413347A (en) * 1993-12-02 1995-05-09 Prater; Billy G. Devices for hitting golf balls when in confined spaces
US5813925A (en) * 1997-05-06 1998-09-29 Lewy; Winston B. Apparatus for practicing sliding into a baseball base and method of use
US5842938A (en) * 1997-04-22 1998-12-01 Garber; Nicholas R. Swing training assembly
US5924930A (en) * 1997-04-03 1999-07-20 Stewart; Roger K. Hitting station and methods related thereto
US6000944A (en) * 1998-10-09 1999-12-14 Schiefer; Thomas P. Sport training and exercise system
US20050227825A1 (en) * 2004-04-01 2005-10-13 Vladimir Kutov Martial arts training apparatus and method of using a martial arts training apparatus
US20060266299A1 (en) * 2005-05-27 2006-11-30 Diantonio Amanda R Tethered pet toy and method of use
US20070167068A1 (en) * 2005-12-21 2007-07-19 Mark Floyd Pet exercise and amusement apparatus
US20090239686A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2009-09-24 Moos Michael R Apparatus and Method for Training a Baseball Batter to Swing a Baseball Bat Level
US20110124442A1 (en) * 2009-11-18 2011-05-26 Eric Erme Multiple sport training device
US20130116068A1 (en) * 2011-11-08 2013-05-09 Dwane Traynor Baseball swing line trainer
US20140235373A1 (en) * 2013-02-19 2014-08-21 Charles Steven Palardis Batting Ball On A Cable Having A Low Friction Surface To Provide Proper Swing Technique and Muscle Memory
US20140274587A1 (en) * 2013-03-12 2014-09-18 Robert P. Ruggiero Punching bag and suspension system
US20150157911A1 (en) * 2012-03-01 2015-06-11 Charles Steven Palardis Batting Ball On A Cable Having A Low Friction Surface To Provide Proper Swing Technique and Muscle Memory
US9198399B1 (en) 2014-05-22 2015-12-01 Cinnamon L. Grooms Pet toy assembly
US10039265B2 (en) * 2015-03-19 2018-08-07 Landgoed Hoenderdaell B.V. Exercising and amusement system for animals
US10456648B1 (en) * 2019-04-22 2019-10-29 Takeo Imahata Swing practice apparatus
US10471327B1 (en) * 2018-06-18 2019-11-12 Takeo Imahata Swing practice apparatus
US11065523B2 (en) * 2018-08-23 2021-07-20 Jason Gervais Kenzle Punching bag target suspended from suspension line and moveable along line until impeded by blocker

Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1708796A (en) * 1928-05-29 1929-04-09 Stanley Delapena Apparatus for use in the practice of ball games
US1907412A (en) * 1930-08-25 1933-05-02 Frederick A Zimmer Game
US2307905A (en) * 1941-07-05 1943-01-12 Charles C Ament Animal exerciser
US2680022A (en) * 1951-09-25 1954-06-01 Henry R Walden Baseball practice device
US2772882A (en) * 1953-09-28 1956-12-04 Robert F Anson Ball holder
US3086775A (en) * 1961-10-19 1963-04-23 James L Albert Baseball practice device
US3469840A (en) * 1966-12-19 1969-09-30 Joseph John Kruzel Pitching and batting device
US3475026A (en) * 1967-08-08 1969-10-28 Charles R Cooper Apparatus for batting practice
US3550937A (en) * 1968-06-19 1970-12-29 George G Wright Basketball training aid
US3649018A (en) * 1969-12-10 1972-03-14 Danny J Beam Block assembly game

Patent Citations (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1708796A (en) * 1928-05-29 1929-04-09 Stanley Delapena Apparatus for use in the practice of ball games
US1907412A (en) * 1930-08-25 1933-05-02 Frederick A Zimmer Game
US2307905A (en) * 1941-07-05 1943-01-12 Charles C Ament Animal exerciser
US2680022A (en) * 1951-09-25 1954-06-01 Henry R Walden Baseball practice device
US2772882A (en) * 1953-09-28 1956-12-04 Robert F Anson Ball holder
US3086775A (en) * 1961-10-19 1963-04-23 James L Albert Baseball practice device
US3469840A (en) * 1966-12-19 1969-09-30 Joseph John Kruzel Pitching and batting device
US3475026A (en) * 1967-08-08 1969-10-28 Charles R Cooper Apparatus for batting practice
US3550937A (en) * 1968-06-19 1970-12-29 George G Wright Basketball training aid
US3649018A (en) * 1969-12-10 1972-03-14 Danny J Beam Block assembly game

Cited By (32)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4216960A (en) * 1977-03-08 1980-08-12 Nicholls Oswald C J Tethered ball tennis practice apparatus
US4342459A (en) * 1980-03-28 1982-08-03 Christopher P. Bath Tethered ball game apparatus having eccentric tensioning means
US4523762A (en) * 1984-10-12 1985-06-18 Garner Sr Ronald S Game apparatus
US4902012A (en) * 1988-01-11 1990-02-20 Shigeru Kita Ball game practice apparatus
US4944513A (en) * 1989-03-07 1990-07-31 Zentner John R Ball batting game apparatus
WO1990010477A1 (en) * 1989-03-07 1990-09-20 Zentner John R Jr Ball batting game apparatus
US4948137A (en) * 1989-05-19 1990-08-14 Marcial Alvarez Tethered playing device
US5375849A (en) * 1993-07-02 1994-12-27 Sabourin; Guy Swimming pool game
US5413347A (en) * 1993-12-02 1995-05-09 Prater; Billy G. Devices for hitting golf balls when in confined spaces
US5348293A (en) * 1994-02-17 1994-09-20 Smith Alvin H Tethered tennis game
US5924930A (en) * 1997-04-03 1999-07-20 Stewart; Roger K. Hitting station and methods related thereto
US5842938A (en) * 1997-04-22 1998-12-01 Garber; Nicholas R. Swing training assembly
US5813925A (en) * 1997-05-06 1998-09-29 Lewy; Winston B. Apparatus for practicing sliding into a baseball base and method of use
US6000944A (en) * 1998-10-09 1999-12-14 Schiefer; Thomas P. Sport training and exercise system
US20050227825A1 (en) * 2004-04-01 2005-10-13 Vladimir Kutov Martial arts training apparatus and method of using a martial arts training apparatus
US20060266299A1 (en) * 2005-05-27 2006-11-30 Diantonio Amanda R Tethered pet toy and method of use
US20070167068A1 (en) * 2005-12-21 2007-07-19 Mark Floyd Pet exercise and amusement apparatus
US20090239686A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2009-09-24 Moos Michael R Apparatus and Method for Training a Baseball Batter to Swing a Baseball Bat Level
US7677992B2 (en) * 2007-02-09 2010-03-16 Moos Michael R Apparatus and method for training a baseball batter to swing a baseball bat level
US20110124442A1 (en) * 2009-11-18 2011-05-26 Eric Erme Multiple sport training device
US20130116068A1 (en) * 2011-11-08 2013-05-09 Dwane Traynor Baseball swing line trainer
US20150157911A1 (en) * 2012-03-01 2015-06-11 Charles Steven Palardis Batting Ball On A Cable Having A Low Friction Surface To Provide Proper Swing Technique and Muscle Memory
US9314681B2 (en) * 2012-03-01 2016-04-19 Charles Steven Palardis Batting ball on a cable having a low friction surface to provide proper swing technique and muscle memory
US20140235373A1 (en) * 2013-02-19 2014-08-21 Charles Steven Palardis Batting Ball On A Cable Having A Low Friction Surface To Provide Proper Swing Technique and Muscle Memory
US20140274587A1 (en) * 2013-03-12 2014-09-18 Robert P. Ruggiero Punching bag and suspension system
US9114298B2 (en) * 2013-03-12 2015-08-25 Robert P. Ruggiero Punching bag and suspension system
US9782651B2 (en) 2013-03-12 2017-10-10 Energy Equity Corp. Punching bag and suspension system
US9198399B1 (en) 2014-05-22 2015-12-01 Cinnamon L. Grooms Pet toy assembly
US10039265B2 (en) * 2015-03-19 2018-08-07 Landgoed Hoenderdaell B.V. Exercising and amusement system for animals
US10471327B1 (en) * 2018-06-18 2019-11-12 Takeo Imahata Swing practice apparatus
US11065523B2 (en) * 2018-08-23 2021-07-20 Jason Gervais Kenzle Punching bag target suspended from suspension line and moveable along line until impeded by blocker
US10456648B1 (en) * 2019-04-22 2019-10-29 Takeo Imahata Swing practice apparatus

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ZA735082B (en) 1975-02-26
DE2435235A1 (de) 1975-02-13
AU7156574A (en) 1976-01-29
AR204722A1 (es) 1976-02-27

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