Training racket and method

Abstract

A training racket with a user end on one side and a hitting end on an opposite side. The user end further comprises a first grip, a second grip, and a generally u-shaped segment interconnecting the first grip and the second grip. The generally u-shaped segment extends away from an axis extending through the first grip, the second grip and the hitting end, whereby the player positions a portion of the racket behind their back with a first grip on one side of their body and the second grip on the opposite side of their body to practice their hitting and swinging techniques.

Claims

1. A training racket for use by a player for hitting a ball, comprising: a rigid elongate racket; a user end of said rigid elongate racket comprising a first grip; a second grip spaced apart from said first grip; a U-shaped segment sized to receive a torso of said player, said first grip and said second grip being on opposite sides of said U-shaped segment so that said second grip is positioned for gripping on an opposite side of said torso of said player from said first grip; and a hitting end on said rigid elongate racket opposite from said user end, said hitting end comprising a head and a neck, said head being substantially oval, said head configured to support strings spread across an entire width of said head in a plane, said neck positioned between said head and said user end.

2. The training racket of claim 1, further comprising said first grip and said second grip comprising each comprising a metal tubular structure.

3. The training racket of claim 2, wherein an axis of said hitting end extends through said first grip and said second grip, said U-shaped segment extending laterally away from said axis.

4. The training racket of claim 3, wherein said U-shaped segment extends around at least thirty percent of said torso of said player.

5. The training racket of claim 3, wherein said U-shaped segment comprises a back plate, a first side, and a second side.

6. The training racket of claim 4, wherein said U-shaped segment comprises a first interior angle and a second interior angle, said first interior angle and said second interior angle being rounded.

7. The training racket of claim 6, wherein said first interior angle and said second interior angle comprising a total of one hundred eighty degrees.

8. The training racket of claim 7, wherein said U-shaped segment is tubular with a centerline that extends away from said axis, said rigid elongate racket being tubular along an entire length thereof.

9. A training racket for use by a player for hitting a ball, comprising: an elongate racket; a first grip; a second grip; a hitting end on a side of said elongate racket opposite said first grip, said hitting end comprising a head, said head being substantially oval, said head configured to support strings spread across an entire width of said head in a plane; and a player body receptacle positioned between said first grip and said second grip, said player body receptacle being generally U-shaped to receive a torso of said player.

10. The training racket of claim 9, wherein said first grip and said second grip each comprise a metal tubular structure.

11. The training racket of claim 10, further comprising a straight axis extending through said first grip, said second grip and said hitting end, said player body receptacle comprising at least a portion that extends away from said straight axis.

12. The training racket of claim 11, wherein said player body receptacle comprises a back plate, a first side, and a second side, said player body receptacle comprises a first interior angle and a second interior angle, said first interior angle and said second interior angle being rounded, wherein said first interior angle and said second interior angle comprising a total of one hundred eighty degrees.

13. The training racket of claim 9, further comprising said elongate racket comprising a continuous metal tubular structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The above general description and the following detailed description are merely illustrative of the generic invention, and additional modes, advantages, and particulars of this invention will be readily suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. A more complete understanding of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereto will be readily appreciated by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a hitting and swinging implement in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is a side view of a hitting and swinging implement in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 3 is a side view of a hitting and swinging implement wielded by a user in a ready position in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 4 is another side view of a hitting and swinging implement wielded by a user at the moment of contact with the ball in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of a hitting and swinging implement wielded by a user after contact with the ball in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 6 is a side view of a hitting and swinging implement wielded by a user after full body extension after contacting the ball in accord with one possible embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(8) Detailed descriptions of embodiments of the invention are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

(9) Racket 100, may be referenced interchangeably herein as a hitting aid, swinging aid, or training racket 100. In one embodiment, racket 100 may be comprised of aluminum, aluminum alloy, various metals or any other material suitable for hitting purposes. In alternate embodiments for younger users, racket 100 may further comprise a foam, stuffing, any soft composite material, or the like, wrapped around hitting portion 10. In one embodiment, hitting and swinging racket 100 is used in conjunction with suspended string 130 and ball 120 as depicted in FIGS. 3-6. While a suspended string is shown for ball 120 in one embodiment, it will be understood that the ball may be otherwise mounted or may be tossed/hit to the beginner by a teacher or a machine. In another embodiment, racket 100 may be used solely with ball 120 consistent with the teachings herein. In one possible embodiment, racket 100 is an elongated rigid tubular of a monolithic construction, while in alternate embodiments, racket 100 may be constructed of various individual pieces configured as one. In one embodiment, the tubular may be continuous along the entire length thereof.

(10) Looking to FIGS. 1 and 2, racket 100 is shown as a generally elongated rigid metallic tubular comprising hitting portion 10, second grip 30, u-shaped body portion 70, and first grip 20. In one embodiment, hitting portion 10, second grip 30, and first grip 20 are aligned along straight axis 50. However, in other embodiments these components may not necessarily be aligned. For example, in one possible embodiment first grip 20 might not be axially aligned with second grip 30. As well, portions of racket 100 may not be tubular, such as u-shaped body portion 70, which may also be referred to herein as u-shaped segment 70, receptacle 70, u-shaped body portion 70, or the like. For instance, u-shaped segment 70 could be padded and/or comprised of flat iron or plastic like material. One or more of the first or second hand grips may be shaped differently for gripping. The components may be coated or the like. U-shaped segment 70 may also comprise slidable portions to adjust the U-shaped segment size or addable/removable components for this purpose.

(11) First grip 20 and second grip 30 may or may not be marked or otherwise distinguishable but are the portions where the hands of the player are naturally placed to utilize the racket in accordance with the hitting procedure shown in FIG. 3-FIG. 6. In this case, placing one hand on first grip 20 and the other hand on second grip 30 allow the user to readily hold receptacle 70 around the torso of the player. With the racket held in this position, the importance of swinging the hips during hitting is emphasized and reinforced. First grip 20 may be referred to as a first tubular portion in the claims. Second grip 30 may be referred to as a second tubular portion. These tubular portions are preferably oriented or parallel or axially aligned with each other and with hitting end 10 so as to be easily gripped by a user for purposes of placing the user in the hitting position shown in FIG. 3-FIG. 6 with the receptacle held around the body as explained with reference to FIG. 3. In one embodiment, receptacle 70 is around the back of the player's torso but conceivably could be around the front of the player's torso.

(12) In one embodiment, hitting portion 10 is comprised of a set of strings in a grid attached under tension to racket frame 12 shaped like a traditional tennis racket with a generally oval frame. In other embodiments, hitting portion 10 may comprise a flattened or square face for striking ball 120. Receptacle 70 defines a generally u-shaped segment extending outwardly away from axis 50 interconnecting first grip 20 and second grip 30. First grip 20 is axially offset from second grip 30 along axis 50 on opposite sides of u-segment or receptacle 70. First grip 20 may further comprise grip end 25 to assist a user with keeping proper grip of racket 100. In this embodiment, u-shaped body portion 70 or receptacle is rectangular shaped and further comprises back plate 40 buttressed on a first side by first shoulder 60 and buttressed by second shoulder 65 on the opposite end with respect to first shoulder 60, whereby centerline 55 of u-shaped body portion 70 extends away from axis 50, around a user's back, and then returns to axis 50. In alternate embodiments, u-shaped body portion 70 may be semi-circular shaped, oblong shaped, or may comprise other shapes provided they are large enough to accommodate a user's body, consistent with the teachings herein.

(13) As different users may be wider, taller, broader, and/or may have longer arms than other users, in various embodiments of training racket 100, u-shaped body portion 70, and more specifically back plate 40, shoulders 60 and 65 may be of all sizes and shapes to accommodate users of various sizes consistent with the teachings herein, provided they are in the proper proportions with respect to each other. U-shaped body portion 70 may comprise one or more length adjustment sections to adjust the lengths of components of U-shaped body portion 70 to fit different sized players.

(14) In one alternate embodiment, back plate 40 may be curved, while first shoulder 60 and second shoulder 65 are of different lengths. In one embodiment, u-shaped segment or receptacle or body portion 70 may extend at least thirty percent around the torso of a player. In another embodiment, u-shaped segment or receptacle or body portion 70 may extend at least forty percent around the torso of a player. In another embodiment, u-shaped segment or receptacle or body portion 70 may extend at least fifty percent around the torso of a player. In another embodiment, u-shaped segment or receptacle or body portion 70 may extend at least sixty percent around the torso of a player.

(15) In one embodiment, back plate 40, and shoulders 60, 65 are arranged so that hitting portion 10, first grip 20, and second grip 30 are aligned axially with respect to each other along axis 50. Hitting portion 10 may have a diameter equal to or greater than the diameter of first grip 20 and second grip 30. In one embodiment, the diameter of u-shaped body portion 70 is the same as first grip 20 and second grip 30. In one embodiment, hitting portion 10 has a diameter greater then u-shaped body portion 70.

(16) In one embodiment, inner corners 80 and 90 are rounded 90 degree angles with respect to first shoulder 60, back plate 40, and second shoulder 65. Similarly, outer corners 95 and 85, as well as grip corners 35, 45 define rounded 90 degree angles. Inner corners 80 and 90 may add up to one-hundred eighty degrees. In alternate embodiments, inner corners 80 and 90, outer corners 85 and 95, and grip corners 35 and 45 may comprise angles more obtuse or acute with respect to those shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In alternate embodiments, outer corners 85, 95 and inner corners 80, 90 may comprise sharp corners. In one embodiment, the size of inner corners 80, 90 is arranged so that hitting portion 10, first grip 20, and second grip 30 fall along axis 50 for training racket 100 to operate as intended.

(17) Looking now to FIG. 3, user 110 is shown in beginning stance 200. User 110 is oriented within u-shaped body portion 70 around the back of the torso of the player with their palms forward with the left hand holding first grip 20 and the right hand holding second grip 30. However, other grips and stances may be utilized. In this embodiment, user or player 110 grips from beneath racket 100 so that the back of user 110 is adjacent back plate 40 with their body facing straight towards ball 120 suspended from string 130. Trainers can adjust the stance length, knee positions, and head placement of user 110 to best utilize racket 100.

(18) FIG. 4 depicts user 110 in contact position 300, whereby user 110 pivots and turns their body towards the left from beginning stance 200 so that hitting portion 10 is on the proper plane to strike ball 120. Head remains focused on ball 120 during this portion of the swing and arms are bent at approximately a 45 degree angle with respect to racket 100.

(19) In FIG. 5, user 110 has made contact with ball 120 and continues to pivot and turns their body towards the left with respect to the initial position of string 130. At this point of the swing, user 110 should continue rotating their body to the left, causing u-shaped body portion 70 to face more towards the initial position of string 130 than away from the initial position of string 130 with user 110 maintaining focus on ball 120 throughout the swing. It will be appreciated that in this embodiment u-shaped body portion 70 extends around at least forty and possibly fifty percent of the torso of the user or player 110.

(20) In FIG. 6, user 110 finishes the swing, having completely expended the momentum generated during the entire swing extending racket 100 as far around their body as practical. User 110 remains focused on ball 120 during this portion of the swing, with arms and body at full rotation with respect to beginning stance 200 in FIG. 3.

(21) The foregoing description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed; and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined by the accompanying claims.