SPORTS TRAINING DEVICE

• US 20120270685A1
• Filed: 04/18/2012
• Published: 10/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eye on Ball, Inc.
• Original Assignee: John David Lindsey, Scott M. Rix
• Inventors: Lindsey, John David, Rix, Scott M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,079,074 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/422
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/16 Table tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/20 Cricket
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/76 with means enabling use in the dark, other than powered illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/0003 Golf balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/12 Special coverings , i.e. outer layer material balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball covers A63B37/0023
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/40 Rackets or the like with flat striking surfaces for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for table tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/50 Substantially rod-shaped bats for hitting a ball in the air, e.g. for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/3623 for driving A63B69/3608, A63B69/3658, A63B69/3661, A63B69/3667 and A63B69/3691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/38 for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence

Abstract

An athletic training device trains athletes to observe the collision between a ball and bat, club, racquet, or the like. The training device may provide a unique event, such as a flashing light, at the moment of the collision. Athletes can be trained to watch the ball, bat, club, racquet or the like, to note the flash of light, thereby focusing the attention of the athlete to “keep their eye on the ball”. The training device of the present invention can provide a unique event that attracts and induces anticipation from the collision point itself. The unique event can be a light flash, multiple light flashes, colored light flashes, or the like.

Claims

1. A training device comprising:

an impact sensing mechanism adapted to sense an impact with or by the training device;

a logic circuit receiving a signal from the impact sensing mechanism when the impact sensing mechanism senses the impact; and

a light generating mechanism receiving an illumination signal from the logic circuit to cause an illumination event comprised of one or more flashes of at least one light for a combined duration of less than 1,000 milliseconds.

2. The training device of claim 1, wherein the training device prevents the subsequent illumination of the at least one light for a predetermined period of time following the illumination event.

3. The training device of claim 1, wherein each illumination event is adapted to illuminate the at least one light in at least one of a selected color and a pattern, wherein the selected color or pattern is selected from one of a plurality of available colors or patterns.

4. The training device of claim 1, wherein the at least one light includes a plurality of lights disposed about an outer periphery of a ball.

5. The training device of claim 1, wherein the at least one light illuminates a central region of a ball surrounded by a transparent or translucent outer periphery.

6. The training device of claim 1, wherein the training device generates light on a ball at the time of impact with a striking object.

7. The training device of claim 1, wherein the training device generates a light on a striking device at the time of impact with a ball.

8. A method for training athletes to watch a ball at a point of impact with a striking object, the method comprising:

detecting an impact between the ball and the striking impact;

determining a color for lighting at least one light on either the ball or the striking object; and

producing an illumination event including at least one flash of light in the at least one light at an impact time;

wherein the illumination event occurs for a duration of less than 1,000 milliseconds.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising focusing on the impact to identify the color of light flashing in the at least one light.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising flashing lights positioned in at least six different, equidistant-spaced locations on a periphery of the ball.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the at least one light illuminates a central region of a ball surrounded by a transparent or translucent outer periphery.

12. A training device comprising:

an impact sensing mechanism adapted to sense an impact with or by the training device;

a logic circuit receiving a signal from the impact sensing mechanism when the impact sensing mechanism senses the impact; and

a light generating mechanism receiving an illumination signal from the logic circuit to cause at least one light to illuminate, wherein each illumination event is adapted to illuminate the at least one light in at least one of a selected color and a pattern, wherein the selected color or pattern is selected from one of a plurality of available colors or patterns.

13. The training device of claim 12, wherein the training device prevents the illumination of the at least one light for a predetermined period of time following the impact.

14. The training device of claim 12, wherein the at least one light includes a plurality of lights disposed about an outer periphery of a ball.

15. The training device of claim 12, wherein the at least one light includes an illuminating central region of a ball surrounded by a transparent or translucent outer periphery.

16. The training device of claim 12, wherein the training device generates light on a ball at the time of impact with a striking object.

17. The training device of claim 12, wherein the training device generates a light on a striking device at the time of impact with a ball.