LASER BALL SHOOTING AID

• US 20090042674A1
• Filed: 04/22/2008
• Published: 02/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lance Shelton
• Original Assignee: Lance Shelton
• Inventors: Shelton, Lance
• Granted Patent: US 7,854,668 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/450
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0071 for basketball

Abstract

A signal projecting device wearable on an athlete about to throw a projectile, such as shooting a basketball. The device incorporates a leveling sensor arranged to provide an input signal to the projecting device so that a signal indicative of a body part on which the projecting device is mounted being horizontal with respect to a floor or ground surface. The projecting device may project a generally cruciform light beam of one characteristic, such as color or light pattern, when the horizontal condition is sensed. A second light beam of a different characteristic may be projected when the horizontal condition is not sensed.

Claims

1. Apparatus for indicating bodily orientation of a basketball player relative to a basketball facility including a floor surface and a basket, comprising:

an optical projecting device capable of projecting a beam of light onto the environment of the basketball facility selectively in a first operating mode wherein the beam of light has a first optical characteristic, and wherein the beam of light is visible to human perception when impinging upon the environment;

a leveling sensor for establishing at least one orthogonal direction of projection of the beam of visible light if projected, the orthogonal being one of a vertical direction relative to the floor surface and a horizontal direction relative to the floor surface; and

a controller disposed to control projection of the beam of visible light to operate selectively in the first operating mode responsive and corresponding to the leveling sensor establishing the horizontal condition.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

the optical projecting device can selectively change to a second operating mode wherein the beam of light has a second optical characteristic;

the leveling sensor can establish a direction of projection other than the orthogonal direction; and

the optical projecting device is capable of projecting a beam of light onto the environment of the basketball facility selectively in the first operating mode and in the second operating mode; and

the controller is disposed to control projection of the beam of visible light to operate selectively in the first operating mode and in the second operating mode responsive and corresponding to the leveling sensor establishing the orthogonal direction and establishing a non-orthogonal direction.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical projecting device is capable of projecting the beam of light in a generally cruciform pattern.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a body attachment element disposed to releasably attach the apparatus to the body of a person.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising comprises an adjustable grip disposed to enable adjustment of the optical projecting device to align with the body of the athlete in a position assuring operable first signals.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the optical projecting device is operable to project light of different colors, wherein light of one color is projected in the first operating mode and light of a second color is projected in the second operating mode.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein one color is green and the second color is red.

8. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the optical projecting device is operable to interrupted projected light according to a first scheme of projection in the first operating mode and according to a second scheme of projection in the second operating mode.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an on-off switch and associated circuitry disposed to effect and discontinue operation of the optical projecting device.

10. A method of training an athlete to throw a projectile accurately, comprising the steps of:

making perceptible to the athlete an automatically generated first signal indicating when a body part of the athlete which influences accuracy of throwing is in an orientation which is in accord with a predetermined throwing protocol; and

causing the athlete to throw the projectile when the first signal is active.

11. The method according to claim 10, comprising the further steps of:

making perceptible to the athlete an automatically generated second signal indicating when the body part which influences accuracy of throwing is not in an orientation which is in accord with the predetermined throwing protocol; and

causing the athlete to refrain from throwing the projectile when the second signal is active.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of making perceptible to the athlete an automatically generated first signal comprises the further step of generating a visible signal.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the step of generating a visible signal comprises the further step of projecting a beam of light which causes a corresponding image to appear where the beam of light impinges upon the environment.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the step of projecting a beam of light which causes a corresponding linear image to appear comprises the further step of projecting light to form a generally cruciform image.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the step of making perceptible to the athlete an automatically generated second signal comprises the further step of projecting a beam of light which causes a corresponding image to appear where the beam of light impinges upon the environment, wherein the first signal has a first optical characteristic and the second signal has a second, distinguishing optical characteristic.

16. The method according to claim 15, comprising the further steps of:

rendering the first signal in one color, and

rendering the second signal in a second, distinguishing color.

17. The method according to claim 15, comprising the further steps of:

rendering the first signal as a constant transmission of light, and

rendering the second signal as an interrupted transmission of light.

18. The method according to claim 13, comprising the further step of mounting the source of the first signal on the body of the athlete.

19. The method according to claim 18, comprising the further step of providing an adjustment mechanism capable of adjusting orientation of the source of the first signal on the body of the athlete, whereby the horizontal condition may be accurately indicated.