BALL SHOOTING TRAINING APPARATUS

• US 20140171229A1
• Filed: 10/08/2013
• Published: 06/19/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Albert R. Klunick
• Original Assignee: Albert R. Klunick
• Inventors: Klunick, Albert R.
• Granted Patent: US 9,731,181 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/447
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/026 stabilised by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0655 Tactile feedback
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0026 for ice-hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0057 Means for physically limiting movements of body parts A63B23/0211 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0071 for basketball

Abstract

A ball shooting training apparatus comprises a support member. An arm receiving strut is coupled to the support member and extends in a rearward direction, and is configured for receiving an upper arm of a user. A guide support configured for receiving a forearm of the user is coupled to the support member and extends upward to a distal end to form a substantially 90 degree angle with the arm receiving strut. A support rod is coupled to the support member and extends upward from the arm receiving strut. A shot completion engagement is disposed at or near the distal end of the support rod, and in front of and above the distal end of the guide support.

Claims

1. A ball shooting training apparatus comprising:

a support member;

an arm receiving strut coupled to the support member and extending in a rearward direction, the arm receiving strut being configured for receiving an upper arm of a user;

a guide support coupled to the support member and extending upward with respect to the arm receiving strut to a distal end to form a substantially 90 degree angle with the arm receiving strut, the guide support being configured for receiving a forearm of the user;

a support rod coupled to the support member and extending upward from the arm receiving strut, the support rod being disposed in front of the guide support and extending upward with respect to the arm receiving strut to a distal end; and

a shot completion engagement disposed at or near the distal end of the support rod;

wherein the shot completion engagement is disposed in front of and above the distal end of the guide support.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member is vertically adjustable.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a base;

wherein the support member is adjustably coupled to and extends upwardly from the base.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the arm receiving strut is generally U-shaped.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support rod is vertically adjustable with respect to the arm receiving strut.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shot completion engagement is positionable with respect to the arm receiving strut such that one or more of the user'"'"'s fingers can engage the shot completion engagement when the user'"'"'s arm is moved to a fully extended position.

7. The apparatus of claim 6;

wherein the support rod extends to form a substantially 90 degree angle with the arm receiving strut;

wherein at the fully extended position, the user'"'"'s arm is at an approximately 57 degree angle with respect to the arm receiving strut.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the support member is vertically adjustable;

and

wherein the support rod is vertically adjustable with respect to the arm receiving strut.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shot completion engagement comprises a distal end of the support rod.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shot completion engagement comprises a component coupled to the support rod.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the guide support and the support rod each extend longitudinally to define respective vertical axes;

wherein the arm receiving strut extends longitudinally along an axis that intersects the vertical axes of both the guide support and the support rod.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the support member, the guide support, and the support rod each extend longitudinally to define respective vertical axes;

wherein the arm receiving strut extends longitudinally to define a horizontal axis;

wherein the vertical axes defined by the support member, the guide support, and the support rod are coplanar with the horizontal axis defined by the arm receiving strut.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a first vertical adjustment device for vertically adjusting the support member; and

a second vertical adjustment device for vertically adjusting the support rod.

14. The apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the support rod is disposed in front of the guide support by a horizontal distance;

wherein the horizontal distance is adjustable.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a base;

a first vertical adjustment device for vertically adjusting the support member with respect to the base; and

a second vertical adjustment device for vertically adjusting the support rod with respect to the arm receiving strut;

wherein the support rod forms a substantially 90 degree angle with the arm receiving strut;

wherein the support member, the guide support, and the support rod each extend longitudinally to define respective vertical axes;

wherein the arm receiving strut extends longitudinally to define a horizontal axis; and

wherein the vertical axes defined by the support member, the guide support, and the support rod are coplanar with the horizontal axis defined by the arm receiving strut.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the shot completion engagement is positionable with respect to the arm receiving strut such that one or more of the user'"'"'s fingers can engage the shot completion engagement when the user'"'"'s arm is moved to a fully extended position that is at an approximately 57 degree angle with respect to the horizontal member.

17. A ball shooting training apparatus comprising:

vertically extending means for support;

horizontal means for receiving an upper arm of a user, the horizontal means being coupled to the means for support and extending in a rearward direction;

first vertical aligning means for receiving a forearm of a user, the first vertical means being coupled to and extending upward from the vertically extending means, the first vertical aligning means forming a substantially 90 degree angle with respect to the horizontal means;

second vertical aligning means coupled to the vertically extending means and extending upward from the horizontal means, the second vertically aligning means being disposed in front of the first vertical aligning means;

means for shot completion engagement disposed at a position at or near the distal end of the second vertical aligning means and in front of and above the distal end of the first vertical aligning means;

means for adjusting a height of the horizontal means; and

means for adjusting a height of the means for shot completion engagement.

18. A method for training for shooting a ball comprising, for a single arm:

positioning an upper arm horizontally to engage an arm receiving strut;

positioning a forearm vertically and in front of the upper arm to engage a vertical member coupled to the arm receiving strut at a substantially 90 degree angle, wherein the forearm is disposed at a substantially 90 degree angle with respect to the upper arm;

positioning a wrist back and towards the upper arm;

extending fingers to form a generally C-shape;

extending the forearm to straighten the arm to a substantially 57 degree angle with respect to the arm receiving strut;

rotating the wrist forward and beyond the forearm while the fingers are extended;

wherein at least one of the extended fingers engage a shot completion engagement disposed on another vertical member that is coupled to the arm receiving strut and aligned with the vertical member.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

placing the ball in a hand such that the ball is positioned in the hand after positioning the wrist and extending the fingers;

wherein extending the forearm and rotating the wrist forward shoots the ball in a direction aligned with both vertical members; and

wherein at least two of the extended fingers engage the shot completion engagement during follow-through of a shot;

wherein the ball is not coupled to the arm receiving strut.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

before extending the forearm, aligning a foot and a knee with a supporting vertical member that is coupled to the arm receiving strut and aligned with both vertical members.