SOLO PRACTICE SPORT TRAINING TOOL

Abstract

A solo practice sport training tool providing a true return flight trajectory of a sports ball. The tool comprises a tether anchored at a proximal end and attached to a sports ball at the distal end, wherein the tether has an clastic first length and an inelastic second length.

Claims

1. A sport training tool for a sport involving dynamic ball interaction, comprising: (a) a tether having a proximal end and a distal end wherein the proximal end is configured and arranged for securement to a fixed position relative to ground, and (b) a sport ball secured to the distal end of the tether, (c) characterized by the tether having an elastic first length and an inelastic second length.

2. The sport training tool of claim 1 wherein the elastic first length is proximate the proximal end of the tether and the inelastic second length is proximate the distal end of the tether.

3. The sport training tool of claim 1 wherein the tether is between about 2 to 22 feet long when the elastic first length is fully relaxed.

4. The sport training tool of claim 1 wherein the ratio of elastic first length to inelastic second length when the elastic first length is fully relaxed is between about 1:1 to 10:1 with an inelastic second length of at least 2 feet.

5. The sport training tool of claim 1 wherein the modulus of elasticity of the elastic first length is between about 0.01 to 0.10 GPa.

6. The sport training tool of claim 1 wherein the ratio of mass per unit length of the elastic first length to the mass per unit length of the inelastic second length is 2:1 to 20:1.

7. The sport training tool of claim 1 wherein the proximal end of the tether is secured to a transportable heavy anchor.

8. The sport training tool of claim 1 further including a hand-operable quick release connector proximate the proximal end of the tether for securement of the tether to a fixed position relative to ground.

9. The sport training tool of claim 1 wherein the sport ball is a ball used in a competitive return-action racquet sport.

10. The sport training tool of claim 1 wherein the sport ball is a pickleball ball.

11. The sport training tool of claim 1 wherein the weight of the tether is less than 40% the weight of the sport ball.

12. A competitive return-action racquet sport training tool, comprising: (a) a tether having a proximal end and a distal end, (b) a hand-operable quick release connector secured to the proximal end of the tether operable for securement of the proximal end of the tether to a racquet, and (c) a sport ball secured to the distal end of the tether, (d) characterized by the tether having an elastic first length and an inelastic second length.

13. The sport training tool of claim 12 wherein the elastic first length is proximate the proximal end of the tether and the inelastic second length is proximate the distal end of the tether.

14. The sport training tool of claim 13 wherein the tether is between about 2 to 22 feet long when the elastic first length is fully relaxed.

15. The sport training tool of claim 13 wherein the ratio of elastic first length to inelastic second length when the elastic first length is fully relaxed is between about 1:1 to 10:1 with an inelastic second length of at least 2 feet.

16. The sport training tool of claim 13 wherein the modulus of elasticity of the elastic first length is between about 0.01 to 0.10 GPa.

17. The sport training tool of claim 13 wherein the ratio of mass per unit length of the elastic first length to the mass per unit length of the inelastic second length is 2:1 to 20:1.

18. The sport training tool of claim 13 wherein the sport ball is selected from the group consisting of a pickleball ball, a tennis ball, a squash ball, and a racquet ball.

19. The sport training tool of claim 13 wherein the weight of the tether is less than 40% the weight of the sport ball.

20. A competitive return-action racquet sport training tool, comprising: (a) a racquet, (b) a tether having a proximal end and a distal end wherein the proximal end is configured for securement to the racquet, and (c) a sport ball secured to the distal end of the tether, (d) characterized by the tether having an clastic first length and an inelastic second length.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is a view of one embodiment of the invention with a relaxed elastic first length of the tether.

[0005] FIG. 1A is a side view of one embodiment of a ground anchor.

[0006] FIG. 1B is a side view of one embodiment of a transportable heavy or heavyweight anchor.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view of the invention depicted in FIG. 1 with a racquet stricken sport ball at its furthest travel distance from its anchor point and in transition from movement away from the proximal end of the tether to movement back towards the proximal end of the tether under the influence of the elastic first length of the tether. The Figure depicts a return flight bounce path of the sport ball.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a view of a second embodiment of the invention with a relaxed elastic first length of the tether.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Definitions

[0009] As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase transportable heavy anchor means a mass not fixed to ground and having a weight at least 10 times greater than the sport ball tethered to the anchor.

[0010] As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase transportable heavyweight anchor means a mass not fixed to ground and having a weight at least 15 times greater than the sport ball tethered to the anchor.

[0011] As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase competitive return-action racquet sport refers to sports in which opposing individuals or teams interact with a sport ball by alternately striking the sport ball with a racquet or paddle. Competitive return-action racquet sports include specifically but not exclusively, paddleball, pickleball, racquetball, squash and tennis.

[0012] As utilized herein, including the claims, the phrase hand-operable quick release connector means a connector selected from spring snap, snap hook and carabiner capable of hand actuated reciprocation between an open release state and a closed connection state.

[0013] As utilized herein, including the claims, the term racquet is used inclusively to encompass all hand-held sport ball striking instruments having a handle grip and an enlarged striking head, including specifically but not exclusively paddleball paddles, racquetball racquets, squash racquets and tennis racquets.

Nomenclature Table

[0014]

TABLE-US-00001 REF. NO. DESCRIPTION 100 Sport Training Tool 110 Tether .sup.110.sub.1 Proximal End of Tether .sup.110.sub.2 Distal End of Tether 111 First Elastic Length of Tether 112 Second Inelastic Length of Tether 120 Sports Ball 130 Quick Release Connector 140 Anchor 141 Ground Anchor 142 Portable Heavy or Heavyweight Anchor 200 Racquet or Paddle 201 Handle of Racquet or Paddle 202 Neck of Racquet or Paddle 203 Head of Racquet or Paddle P.sub.1 Anchor Point x.sub.1 Outbound Direction x.sub.2 Inbound or Return Direction x.sub.2Path Return Flight Path G Ground

Construction

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the invention is a sport training tool 100 used in a sport involving dynamic ball interaction capable of providing an automatic true return x.sub.2 flight trajectory x.sub.2Path.

[0016] The sport training tool 100 includes a tether 110 configured and arranged to be anchored at an anchor point P.sub.1 proximate the proximal end 1101 and having a sports ball 120 secured to a distal end 110.sub.2. The tether 110 has an elastic first length 111 and an inelastic second length 112. The first and second lengths 111, 112 can be are preferably sequenced with the elastic first length 111 proximate the proximal end 1101 of the tether 110 and the inelastic second length 112 proximate the distal end 110.sub.2 of the tether 110, but the reverse sequence also provides the desired true return x.sub.2 flight trajectory x.sub.2Path.

[0017] Both the clastic first length 111 and inelastic second length 112 of the tether 110 are preferably comprised of a strand, string, thread or cord of circular cross-section.

[0018] The tether 110 should have a length of between about 2 to 22 feet when the clastic first length 111 is fully relaxed. A length of less than about 2 feet is insufficient to provide a true gravity influenced return trajectory x.sub.2Path as the contraction force of the stretched clastic first length 111 of the tether 110 over a significant portion of the return flight path x.sub.2Path overwhelms the force of gravity. A length of greater than about 22 feet tends to degrade the desired true gravity influenced return trajectory x.sub.2Path as the tether 110 creates a drag resistance along the ground G over the course of the extended length of the return flight path x.sub.2Path sufficient to dampen and artificially influence the return trajectory x.sub.2Path.

[0019] The ratio of clastic first length 111 to inelastic second length 112 when the elastic first length 111 is fully relaxed should be between about 1:1 to 10:1 with an inelastic second length 112 of no less than 2 feet in all circumstances. A ratio of less than 1:1 (e.g., 1 unit length clastic to 2 units length inelastic) tends to result in excessively rapid deceleration of the sports ball 120 at the end of its outbound x.sub.1 travel and transition to inbound or return x.sub.2 travel that the sports ball 120 is jolted off its return trajectory x.sub.2Path. A ratio of greater than 10:1 (e.g., 20 units length elastic to 1 unit length inelastic) tends to result in a loss of gravity induced influence upon the return trajectory x.sub.2Path. Without intending to be unduly bound hereby, it is believed that at higher ratios of elastic first length 111 to inelastic second length 112, the pull of the contracting clastic first length 111 keeps the inelastic second length 112 taut throughout an extended portion of the return x.sub.2 flight whereby the inelastic second length 112 is unable to slacken and allow gravity to properly influence the return trajectory x.sub.2Path of the sports ball 120 for a sufficient time to allow emulation of a true return flight trajectory x.sub.2Path.

[0020] An inelastic second length 112 of less than 2 feet, regardless of the ratio of clastic first length 111 to inelastic second length 112 tends to result in a loss of gravity induced influence upon the return trajectory x.sub.2Path just as if the ratio of elastic first length 111 to inelastic second length 112 greater than 10:1. Again, without intending to be unduly bound hereby, it is believed that a shorter inelastic second length 112 allows the pull of the contracting elastic first length 111 to keep the inelastic second length 112 taut throughout an extended portion of the return x.sub.2 flight whereby the inelastic second length 112 is unable to slacken and allow gravity to properly influence the return trajectory x.sub.2Path of the sports ball 120 for a sufficient time to allow emulation of a true return flight trajectory x.sub.2Path.

[0021] The elastic first length 111 should have a modulus of elasticity between about 0.01 to 0.10 GPa. A modulus of elasticity of less than 0.01 tends to provide insufficient contraction pull force to return the sports ball 120. A modulus of elasticity of greater than 0.10 tends to result in excessively rapid deceleration of the sports ball 120 at the end of its outbound x.sub.1 travel and transition to inbound or return x.sub.2 travel that the sports ball 120 is jolted off its return x.sub.2 trajectory x.sub.2Path.

[0022] The entire tether 110 preferably weighs less than the sports ball 120, and more preferably less than 40% of the weight of the sports ball 120, so as to minimize the downward pull of the sports ball 120 by the tether 110. The elastic first length 111 and inelastic second length 112 are preferably selected to provide a ratio of mass per unit length of 2:1 to 20:1 respectively, so as to provide an appropriate balance of contraction pull force exerted by the clastic first length 111 pulling the sports ball 120 back towards the anchor point P.sub.1 and weight of inelastic second length 112 pulling the sports ball 120 towards ground G under the influence of gravity.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 2 and 3, the proximal end 1101 of the tether 110 is anchored at an anchor point P.sub.1. The anchor point P.sub.1 may be an item 141 rigidly affixed to ground G (FIG. 1A), a heavy or heavyweight anchor 142 (FIG. 1B) or the handle 201, neck 202 or head 203 of a racquet or paddle 200.

[0024] A hand-operable quick release connector 130 may be provided at the proximal end 1101 of the tether 110 to facilitate attachment and detachment of the tether 110 to a ring or similar item at the anchor point P.sub.1.

[0025] The sport ball 120 can be selected from any ball used in a sport involving dynamic ball interaction (e.g. repetitive striking of the ball or catch/trap and throw/pass of the ball), including specifically but not exclusively basketball, baseball, field hockey, handball, lacrosse, pickleball, tennis, squash, racquet ball, soccer, softball, spike ball, and wiffle ball. The tool 100 is particularly well adapted for use in connection with a competitive return-action racquet sport.