Tennis Ball Target Device

Abstract

A tennis ball target device is provided that may provide for at least one target element having lettering, a design, or other such visual indicia that may indicate where a user might strike the target with a tennis ball. In some embodiments, the target element may be hingedly connected at its base to a weighted base element, which in some embodiments provides the counter-force to the impact created by the tennis ball. In some embodiments, different weighted bases may be provided or associated with the present invention.

Claims

1. A target device, comprising: a vertically positioned center member having a lower portion, side walls, and an outer surface wherein the outer surface includes at least one groove configured to receive an impact of an object; a hinge having a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side rotatably coupled to each other, the first side fixedly attached to the lower portion of the vertically positioned center member; and a base member adapted to rest upon a flat surface and fixedly attached to the second side of the hinge.

2. The target device of claim 1, wherein the vertically positioned center member is larger than the base member.

3. The target device of claim 1, wherein the base member is weighted in proportion to an anticipated absorption of a force of an anticipated impact.

4. The target device of claim 1, wherein the outer surface has at least three grooves configured to receive a force of an impact.

5. A method for using a tennis ball target device as a target to receive a tennis ball from a tennis swing, comprising: receiving, by the tennis ball target device, the tennis ball from the tennis swing, the tennis ball target device having a first member including a surface with a depicted target, the surface indicating accuracy of a human propelled tennis ball's impact with the first member based on a tennis ball's impact location within the target and directing where the tennis ball goes subsequent to impact with the member, a hinge having a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side rotatably coupled to each other, the first side fixedly attached to the first member, and a base member fixedly attached to the second side, wherein a weight of the base member is tailored to how the human is propelling the tennis ball and in proportion to an anticipated force associated with the tennis ball's impact; and rotating, by the first member, when the tennis ball comes into contact with the surface.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the surface includes one or more grooves.

7. A target device, comprising: a first member having an outer surface wherein the outer surface includes at least one groove configured to receive an object's impact; a hinge having a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side rotatably coupled to each other, the first side fixedly attached to the first member; and a base member adapted to rest upon a flat surface and fixedly attached to the second side of the hinge.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying figures where:

[0017] FIG. 1 shows a side-perspective view of a tennis ball target device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows a side-perspective view of a tennis ball target device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a tennis ball target device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0020] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a tennis ball target device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The present invention overcomes the limitations of the prior art by providing a new and more effective tennis ball target device.

[0022] All dimensions specified in this disclosure are by way of example only and are not intended to be limiting. Further, the proportions shown in these Figures are not necessarily to scale. As will be understood by those with skill in the art with reference to this disclosure, the actual dimensions and proportions of any embodiment or element of an embodiment disclosed in this disclosure will be determined by its intended use.

[0023] It is to be understood that the drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate potential embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Reference in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” is intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” or “an embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment

[0024] Throughout the drawings, reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between referenced elements. In addition, the first digit of each reference number indicates the figure where the element first appears.

[0025] As used in this disclosure, except where the context requires otherwise, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising”, “comprises” and “comprised” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

[0026] In the following description, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific detail. Well known features, elements or techniques may not be shown in detail in order not to obscure the embodiments.

[0027] Turning attention to FIG. 1, a side-perspective view of a tennis ball target device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive weighted base 101, hinge 102, and target 103. In some embodiments, the shape of target 103 may approximate a triangle, a circle, or any other shape capable of implementation with or by the present invention. Similarly, in some embodiments, the shape of weighted base 101 or hinge 102 may be different than depicted in FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the shape of weighted base 101 or hinge 102 may match the shape of target 103, whereas in other embodiments the shape of weighted base 101 or hinge 102 may not match the shape of target 103. A viewer may also perceive that the target 103 has a plethora of grooves 119 to absorb the impact of the tennis ball.

[0028] Turning attention to FIG. 2, a side-perspective view of a tennis ball target device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In illustrative and non-limiting embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive tennis ball 201, as well as weighted base 101, hinge 102, and target 103. In some embodiments, weighted base 101, hinge 102, and target 103 may be larger or smaller relative to tennis ball 201 than depicted in FIG. 2. In this illustrative and non-limiting depiction, a viewer may also perceive how the tennis ball impacts the target 103.

[0029] Turning attention to FIG. 3, a perspective view of a tennis ball target device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive tennis ball basket 301, ball hopper and target rack 302, and rack 303, as well as tennis ball 201 and target 103.

[0030] Turning attention to FIG. 4, a perspective view of a tennis ball target device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is shown. In the embodiment depicted, a viewer may perceive tennis ball basket 301, ball hopper and target rack 302, and rack 303, as well as tennis ball 201 and target 103.

[0031] Although the present invention has been described with a degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example and that other versions are possible. As various changes could be made in the above description without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be illustrative and not used in a limiting sense. The spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained in this disclosure.

[0032] All features disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstracts, and drawings, and all the steps in any method or process disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. Each feature disclosed in the specification, including the claims, abstract, and drawings, can be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise.