WO2017095336A1

WO2017095336A1 - Method for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training, and apparatus for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye- hand coordination training

Info

Publication number: WO2017095336A1
Application number: PCT/SI2016/000026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tomaž HANC; Jože VERBAN; Marko HANC
Original assignee: Hanc Tomaž; Verban Jože; Hanc Marko
Priority date: 2015-11-30
Filing date: 2016-11-21
Publication date: 2017-06-08
Also published as: DE112016004746T5; SI25088A

Abstract

Method for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training, and apparatus for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training solves technical problem of how to provide for better training of muscles and eye-member coordination, preferably eye-hand coordination, especially in close quarters by providing appropriate playing surface of appropriate form and size, said playing surface forming top surface of a playing table, said playing table composed of two lateral sides, two transversal sides, and rounded corners smoothly connecting each lateral side to each transversal side, forming continuous perimeter of said playing table. The method requires at least first player, at the beginning of the game positioned approximately in the area of the proximal edge of two transversal edges of said playing table comprising said playing surface, said first player beginning said eye-member coordination training by serving a ball or similar object, thereinafter the ball, said ball impinging upon said playing surface, said method taking advantage of a playing surface as described below.

Description

Method for eye-member coordination training, preferably cyc-hand coordination training, and apparatus for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye- hand coordination training

Field of technology

Muscle training; eye member coordination training. Object of this invention is to provide for method and apparatus for training and exercising and present an improvement against available state of the art

Technical problem

Technical problem which is to be solved by this invention is how to provide for better training of muscles and eye-member, preferably eye-hand coordination, especially in close quarters, while at the same improving safety of the players from injuring themselves on sharp comers.

Currently, there are several game surfaces available, each with different set of rules, however, they may be either limited to rectangular shape posing danger of hurting the players, or limited to oval surface decreasing optimum range of member (hand, head, foot) motion.

State of the art

The closest state of the art is classical table tennis game and table tennis setup, with a table, having rectangular form, and with a net positioned in the middle of the table, transversally to players, said players positioned on each side of the net

In addition to that, there are several games currently available. The first is called Headis, and is played on the rectangular playing table, dimensions 2740 x 1520 mm and height of playing table of 760 mm from ground. This game is played with a ball, made of rubber, with diameter of 178 mm and mass of 100 g. This game requires at least 30m2.

The second relevant gamo is called Teqball. The playing table is rectangular, dimensions 3000 x 1500 m. The playing surface is curved from the middle of the table toward the ends in longitudinal direction. Consequently, the height of the table is changed from 760 nun from ground at the highest elevation to 565 mm from ground at the lowest elevation. The ball is made of leather, having diameter between 202 and 210 mm, and mass of 312 to 369 g. The game requires at least 34 m2.

The third relevant game is called FutToc. The playing table is of oval construction having size of the longest and shortest axes 2830 mm and 1920 mm, respectively, and height of playing table 700 mm from the ground. There is a net invloed, having height of 150 mm above the table surface, 'lhc ball is made of rubber, and covered with wool fiber, having diameter of 226 mm, and mass of 300 g. The game requires at least 35 m2.

Description of new invention

Method for eye-member coordination training, preferably, eye-hand coordination training, and apparatus for eye-member coordination training, preferably oyc-hand coordination training solves technical problem of how to provide for better training of muscles and eye-member coordination, preferably eye-hand coordination, especially in close quarters by providing appropriate playing surface of appropriate form and size, said playing surface forming top surface of a playing table, said playing table composed of two lateral sides, two transversal sides, and rounded corners smoothly connecting each lateral side to each transversal side, forming continuous perimeter of said playing table.

Method according to this invention, and apparatus related thereto is constructed primarily but not exclusively to help users build-up their muscles as well as maintain good condition for playing various sports. Further, this method, and apparatus related thereto is primarily but not exclusively useful in building, and maintaining cye-to- member coordination, increase motoric performance insofar it is related to movement of the user for purposes of playing various sports as well as increasing and improving sporting results.

The method requires at least first player, at the beginning of the game positioned approximately in the area of the proximal edge of two transversal edges of said playing table comprising said playing surface, said first player beginning said eye-member coordination training by serving a ball or similar object, thereinafter the ball, said ball impinging upon said playing surface, said method taking advantage of a playing surface as described below.

The method allows said first player to practice hits of said ball with different parts of said first player's body such as fool, hand, torso, side, head (hereinafter referred to as "members"), and also with different devices such as racquets, gloves or similar.

Optionally, the method requires additional player or plurality thereof, preferably on distal end of two transversal ends of said playing table comprising said playing surface.

The method was developed taking into account that said first player's member or plurality thereof (hand, foot, head, but also torso) may and should be moved around or along proximal end of said playing table comprising said playing surface with more or less substantial degree of movement in order to thrust said ball toward the distal end of two transversal ends of said playing surface, in generally in longitudinal direction. In accordance with proposed method, said first player may move transversally relative to longitudinal axis of said playing surface, said movements in general arc-like direction, with apex of said movement at distal end of said playing surface at approximately longitudinal symmetry axis of said playing surface.

The method was also developed taking into account that the muscles of the player should be trained by not overcxtending them under stress which happens, if, for example, during table tennis match the ball impinges on the corner of the table tennis table. In order to prevent these movements, each transversal end of said playing table comprising said playing surface is shaped in a form of an arc, in convex fashion, having its top (apex) at approximately symmetry longitudinal axis of said playing surface, said arc preferably forming part of the circle having radius depending on type of training performed but preferably between 1000 mm and 6000 mm, more preferably between 2500 mm and 5000 mm. Said transversal end can also be curved in any other fashion as long as il is of convex shape, with apex toward said first player.

The method was developed having in mind improving eye-member coordination, said improving requiring said player to pay attention to variable surface shape. In order to facilitate appropriate muscle training it is object of the invention to encourage said first player to thrust said ball in such a direction that tendons of said member are not unduly stressed. This happens when direction of ball incoming toward said member and direction of ball thrusted by said member are at as acute angle as possible, with best results achieved when ball leaves said member at direction approximately perpendicular to said member. In order to encourage such movements, the shape of the table should be such that said first player is forced to funnel its shots from wide proximal transversal end toward narrower middle playing surface, and further toward again wide distal transversal end, in other words, to focus its shots hence, in general, not straining it tendons with incorrect hitting of said ball.

This can be achieved by forming lateral side of said playing table comprising said playing surface in approximately concave shape, with apex of said lateral side at approximately middle of said playing surface.

The best results are achieved when said playing table comprising said playing surface is composed of two transversal edges of said playing table comprising said playing surface of convex form, with the apexes of said transversal edges at approximately intersection of longitudinal axis of said playing table comprising said playing surface and each of said transversal edge, respectively, and further when said playing table comprising said playing surface is further composed of two lateral edges of said playing table comprising said playing surface of concave form, with the apexes of said lateral end edges as approximately intersection of transversal axis of said playing table comprising said playing surface and each of said lateral edge, respectively, therefore the largest distance between two opposite transversal edges of said playing table comprising said playing surface approximately along longitudinal axis of said playing table comprising said playing surface and the shortest distance between two opposite lateral edges of said playing table comprising said playing surface approximately along transversal axis of said playing table comprising said playing surface.

In order to prevent injury of said first player, corners of said playing table comprising said playing surface are rounded in such a way that each lateral edge is essentially smoothly connected to each transversal edge by means of rounded corner, the radius of said corner such that the transition between both edges is smooth, preferably that radius of said corner is larger than radius of said ball.

Tn order to increase usefulness of said method, a dividing means for dividing said playing surface into two approximately symmetric parts, said dividing means composed of a structure, said structure preferably composed of interconnected members forming a rectangular opening, said rectangular opening preferably extending across width of said playing surface. Optionally, said rectangular opening can be filled with either a net or with solid surface, optionally translucent or transparent

Preferred embodiments

There are several possibilities of practicing of proposed invention under the common name Paeyball.

In the first example, for purposes of describing of this invention called also Grandpaey game, players shall hit the ball by any part of his body except by his arm down from the shoulder. The exception is a service, which must be hit by head. Grandpaey can be played using various table size, with the upper playing surface lying in a horizontal plane between 600 mm and 1200 mm, preferably around 770 mm above the ground. In the second example, for purposes of describing of this invention called also Footpaey game, players shall hit the ball only by their legs down from the waist The exception is a service, which must be hit by head. Footpaey can be played using various table size, with the upper playing surface lying in a horizontal plane between SO mm and 600 mm, preferably around 513 mm above the ground.

In the third example, for purposes of describing of this invention culled also Handpaey game, players shall hit the ball with their arms down from the shoulders. Players shall hit the ball in a slap way and not in a palm way, and the same applies also to services. Handpaey can be played also in other ways dedicated to special training. In the first style called Rackctpaey, players hit the ball in a similar way as they do in sport games with rackets, such as tennis, table tennis, badminton, etc. In the second style called Volcypaey, players hit the ball in a similar way as they do in sport games like volleyball, beach volleyball, etc. In the third style called Fightpaey, players hit the ball only by their forearms or fists. In all these games, the methods of hitting the ball also apply to services.

In the fourth example, for purposes of describing of this invention called also Sitpaey game, said game is similar to the Handpaey game, with a difference that players shall sit on chairs. During the rally, players shall not get up from chairs. This game is particularly recommended for eye-member coordination training of persons with disabilities and persons recovering from injuries.

In the fifth example, for purposes of describing of this invention called also Underpaey game, players shall hit the ball with their hands down from the elbow. During the rally, the ball should pass through the rectangular opening as defined by dividing means. The ball shall wholly cross over the half of the playing surface. During the rally, the ball can roll or bounce on the table with no limits in the number of rollings and bounces. During the rally, players can touch the upper surface of the table by their hands down form their elbows. When serving, the ball shall stand still at the long edge of the table parallel to the dividing means. When serving, the server shall hit the ball with his palm on the upper part of the ball. in the sixth example, for purposes of describing of this invention called also Kidspaey game, players are allowed to hit the ball by all parts of their bodies. This game is particularly recommended for eye-member coordination training of children and persons with disabilities.

In the seventh example, for purposes of describing of this invention called also Solopaey game, the first player is performing said method alone, without said other player or plurality thereof. In such case said playing table is partially folded, with a portion comprising approximately half of said playing table in approximately upright position, i.e. its plane perpendicular to the first portion of said playing table being proximal to said first player. In such a way, said first player may practice its shots by directing said ball toward said essentially upright portion of said playing table, said ball rebounding from said essentially upright portion of said playing table in order for said first player to perform method according to this invention.

Obviously there are many other ways of practicing this invention, none of which is limiting the scope of this invention.

Description of figures and detailed description of this invention

This invention is further described by figures, said figures forming part of this patent application, and describing:

Figure 1 shows shape of a playing surface (1) of a playing table with rounded corners (2) of said playing surface (1).

Figure 2 presents said playing surface (1) of said playing table support made of supporting understructure (3), said understructurc (3) providing for variable distance of said playing surface (1) of said playing table from ground. Figure 3 shows connection between said playing surface (1) of said playing table and understructure (3).

Figure 4 shows folded position of said playing table (10) prepared for transport

Figure 5 shows partially folded position for the first player to use said playing table by positioning distal portion of said playing table in approximately upright position using additional support element (17) while proximal portion of said playing table relative to said first player remains in essentially parallel position to the ground.

Figure 6 shows optional form of a ball (18), and optional delimiting line (19) in this case delimiting said ball (18) into two approximately equal parts.

Figure 7 presents dividing means (20) in frontal (top) and bird (bottom) views.

Figure 8 shows minimum ground floor requirement (22) for practicing of this invention, with said playing table positioned approximately at its center.

Said playing tabic comprising said playing surface (1 ) has a shape adapted to practicing method of this invention having the longest length between 400 mm and 3S00 mm, preferably approximately 1250 mm, and having the shortest width between 270 mm and 2500 mm, preferably approximately 750 mm, said playing table comprising said playing surface (1) having two lateral sides, said sides having concave form, with apexes approximately lying on transversal symmetry axis of said playing table comprising said playing surface (1) forming the shortest dimension of said playing table comprising said playing surface (1), said playing table comprising said playing surface (1) having two transversal edges, the first of said transversal edges proximal to the first player, and the second of said transversal edges distal to said first player, said transversal edges of convex shape, with apexes approximately lying on longitudinal symmetry axis of said playing table comprising said playing surface (1) forming the longest dimension of said playing table comprising said playing surface (1). Said playing table comprising said playing surface (1) has rounded corners (2) for smooth transition between said lateral sides and said transversal sides. Therefore, said playing table comprising said playing surface is further comprising rounded corners (2), said rounded corners (2) provided in such a way that each lateral edge is essentially smoothly connected to each transversal edge by means of said rounded corner (2), the radius of said rounded corner (2) such that the transition between both adjacent transversal and lateral edges is smooth, preferably that radius of said rounded corner (2) is larger than radius of said ball (18). These rounded corners (2) contribute to more exchanged hits by the players and with different forms of hits gives possiblity of training of difference strength of hits. Count of errors is decreased, and concentration of training therefore increased.

In preferred embodiment the playing table comprising playing surface is made of wood or wood products, preferably chipwood, protected by surface coating such as melamine or similar, in order to provide optimum rebound of said ball (18). Said playing table comprising playing surface is attached to understructure (3), preferably made of steel, to ensure stability. The edges of said playing table comprising playing surface are protected by protective strip (4), preferably made of ABS or similar plastic material.

The understructure (3), preferably of steel, has attached wheels (6) on the outside legs (5), preferably made of rubber to provide for easier movement Additional stability is provided by attaching adjustable legs (8) to inner legs (7) said adjutable legs (8) preferably made of rubber.

The playing table comprising playing surface is positioned either in higher position between 600 and 1200 mm from the ground, preferably around 770 mm from the ground, or in lower position between SO and 600 mm from the ground, preferably around S13 mm.

Method according to this invention provides for said lower position in order to enable workout by children, those of lower height or disabled people unable to stand. The understructurc (3) is designed in such a way as to enable folding of said playing table comprising playing surface into transport form (10) having smaller size for storage and transport.

The additional supporting element (17) is provided to prop (erect) the second portion of said playing table comprising playing surface into essentially upright position in order to enable use of the first player positioned at the first transversal edge having proximal position with respect to said first player without help of additional player or plurality thereof by thrusting said ball (18) into said essentially upright positioned second portion of said playing table comprising playing surface, said ball (18) rebounding from said second portion of said playing table to be again hit by the first player until such time that the first player ends the game, either by volition or by error.

Said ball (18) is preferably of essentially spherical shape, with diameter between SO and 230 mm, preferably between 130 mm and 140 mm, and preferably mass between 20 and 450 g, preferably between 45 g and 90 g. It is manufactured of resilient material, preferably of rubber, PVC, synthetic rubber or similar material. It can be hollow, or full, and in former case either filled with compressed air or other gas, or with air or gas at atmospheric pressure.

Such ball (18) can be substituted with smaller or larger and/or lighter or heavier ball in order to provide for better training. In one of preferred embodiments the ball (18) is marked with a line (19) said line (19) preferably having width of around 25 mm, said line(19) splitting said ball into two equal parts to better observe rotation of said ball (18), as well as velocity and angle of said ball (18) during flight.

The dividing means (20) can be erected featuring net or being without any obstacle it its rectangular enclosure (21) so it resembles a football goal enabling aditional training of accuracy by trying to put said ball through said rectangular enclosure (21). Optional goal can be erected on different positions around said playing table comprising playing surface (2). The height of dividing means above said playing table comprising playing surface is between 50 and 500 mm, preferably around 200 mm. Optional net attached to said dividing means (20) are thick between 3 and ISO mm preferably around 25 mm.

The minimum area required to practice this invention is about 6 m2 which is beneficial compared to state of the art greatly reducing necessary area for practicing.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS

1. Method for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training comprising the following steps:

(a) erecting a playing table comprising playing surface (2), said playing table comprising said playing surface composed of two transversal edges of said playing table comprising said playing surface of convex form, with the apexes of said transversal edges at approximately intersection of longitudinal axis of said playing table comprising said playing surface and each of said transversal edges, respectively, and further said playing table comprising said playing surface composed of two lateral edges of said playing table comprising said playing surface of concave form, with the apexes of said lateral end edges as approximately intersection of transversal axis of said playing table comprising said playing surface and each of said lateral edge, respectively, therefore the largest distance between two opposite transversal edges of said playing table comprising said playing surface approximately along longitudinal axis of said playing table comprising said playing surface and the shortest distance between two opposite lateral edges of said playing table comprising said playing surface approximately along transversal axis of said playing table comprising said playing surface;

(b) positioning the first player at the first of both transversal edges in such a fashion that the first player is proximal to the first transversal edge, and distal to the second transversal edge;

(c) providing said first player with a ball (18) or different moving object for thrusting;

(d) thrusting of said ball (18) or different moving object by members of said first player toward playing surface in order to train muscles and/or achieve eye- member coordination, said member alone or in combination with another member, said member selected from the first player's foot, head, hand, arm, torso, side.

2. Method for eye-member coordination training, preferably cyc-hand coordination training according to claim 1 wherein said playing table comprising said playing surface is further comprising rounded corners (2), said rounded comers (2) provided in such a way that each lateral edge is essentially smoothly connected to each transversal edge by means of said rounded corner (2), the radius of said rounded corner (2) such that the transition between both adjacent transversal and lateral edges is smooth, preferably (hat radius of said rounded corner (2) is larger than radius of said ball (18).

3. Method for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training according to any of the previous claims wherein additional player or plurality thereof can be positioned at any of transversal edges of said playing tabic comprising said playing surface, preferably in such a fashion that at least one of additional players is positioned at the distal transversal end of said playing table comprising said playing surface relative to said first player.

4. Method for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordiiiation training according to any of the previous claims wherein the second portion of said playing table comprising playing surface is erected into essentially upright position in order to enable use of the first player positioned at the first transversal edge having proximal position with respect to said first player without help of additional player or plurality thereof by thrusting said ball (18) into said upright positioned second portion of said playing table comprising playing surface, said ball (18) rebounding from said second portion of said playing tabic to be again hit by the first player until such time that the first player ends the game, either by volition or by error.

5. Method for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training according to any of the previous claims wherein said playing table comprising said playing surface is further comprising dividing means for dividing said playing surface into two approximately symmetric parts, said dividing means composed of a structure, said structure preferably composed of interconnected members forming a rectangular opening, said rectangular opening preferably extending across width of said playing surface, and further wherein optionally said rectangular opening can be filled with either a net or with solid surface, further optionally translucent, transparent, opaque, or solid.

6. Apparatus for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training comprising playing table comprising said playing surface (1) having two lateral sides, said sides having concave form, with apexes approximately lying on transversal symmetry axis of said playing table comprising said playing surface (1) forming the shortest dimension of said playing table comprising said playing surface (1), said playing table comprising said playing surface (1) having two transversal edges, the First of said transversal edges proximal to the first player, and the second of said transversal edges distal to said first player, said transversal edges of convex shape, with apexes approximately lying on longitudinal symmetry axis of said playing table comprising said playing surface (1) forming the longest dimension of said playing table comprising said playing surface (1 ).

7. Apparatus for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training according to claim.6 wherein said playing table comprising said playing surface is further comprising rounded corners (2), said rounded corners (2) provided in such a way that each lateral edge is essentially smoothly connected to each transversal edge by means of said rounded comer (2), the radius of said rounded corner (2) such that the transition between both adjacent transversal and lateral edges is smooth, preferably that radius of said rounded corner (2) is larger than radius of said ball (18).

8. Apparatus for eye-member coordination training, preferably cyc-hand coordination training according to any of claims 6 to 7 wherein said playing table comprising said playing surface (1) has a shape adapted to practicing method of this invention having the longest length between 400 mm and 3500 mm, preferably approximately 1250 mm, and having the shortest width between 270 mm and 2500 mm, preferably approximately 850 mm.

9. Apparatus for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training according to any of claims 6 to 8 wherein an additional supporting element (17) is provided to erect the second portion of said playing table comprising playing surface into essentially upright position in order to enable use of the first player positioned at the first transversal edge having proximal position with respect to said first player without help of additional player or plurality thereof by thrusting said ball (18) into said upright positioned second portion of said playing table comprising playing surface, said ball (18) rebounding from said second portion of said playing table to be again hit by the first player until such time that the first player ends the game, either by volition or by error.

10. Apparatus for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training according to any of claims 6 to 9 wherein said playing table comprising playing surface is attached to understructure (3), preferably made of steel, to ensure stability, and wherein further,

11. Apparatus for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training according to claim 10 wherein said understructure (3), preferably of steel, has attached wheels (6) on the outside legs (5), preferably made of rubber to provide for easier movement, and wherein additional stability is provided by attaching adjustable legs (8) to inner legs (7) said adjustable legs (8) preferably made of rubber.

12. Apparatus for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein said playing table comprising playing surface can be positioned either in higher position between 600 and 1200 mm from the ground, preferably around 770 mm from the ground, or in lower position between SO and 600 mm from the ground, preferably around 513 nun.

13. Apparatus for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training according to any of claims 6 to 12 wherein a ball (18) or similar moving object for practicing the invention is provided.

14. Apparatus for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training according to claim 13 wherein said ball (18) is preferably of essentially spherical shape, with diameter between SO and 230 mm, preferably between 130 mm and 140 mm, and preferably mass between 20 g and 450 g, preferably between 45 g and 90 g, said ball made of resilient material, preferably of rubber, PVC, synthetic rubber or similar material, wherein said ball (18) can be hollow, or full, and when hollow either filled with compressed air or other gas, or with air or gas at atmospheric pressure.

15. Apparatus for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training according to any of claims 6 to 14 wherein said apparatus for eye-member coordination training, preferably eye-hand coordination training is used to carry out a method in accordance to any of claims 1 to 5.