Ball Rotation Indicator and Method

• US 20140228157A1
• Filed: 02/11/2014
• Published: 08/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Adam W. Johnston
• Original Assignee: Adam W. Johnston
• Inventors: Johnston, Adam W
• Application Number:
  US14/178,172
• Publication Number:
  US 20140228157A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/451
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0006 for pitching
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/00 Application of clubs, bats, rackets or the like to the sporting activity ; particular sports involving the use of balls and clubs, bats, rackets, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/182 Softball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/20 Cricket
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/0204 Standing on the feet
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/10 with adhesive type surfaces, i.e. hook and loop-type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2214/00 Training methods
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/20 Distances or displacements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/35 Spin
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0095 Volleyball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0003 : Analysing the course of a movement or motion sequences during an exercise or trainings sequence, e.g. swing for golf or tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/002 : with special configuration, e.g. non-spherical discs for throwing A63B65/10
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/005 : with adhesive type surfaces, e.g. hook-and-loop type fastener
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/008 : with means for improving visibility, e.g. special markings or colours illuminating or reflecting means A63B43/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/02 : with a handle
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 : with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 : Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0002 : for baseball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 : Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

The present application is directed to an athletic training tool. The athletic training tool includes a ball and an elongated member attached thereto, the elongated member is attached to the ball in a manner effective to maintain the center of gravity of the ball. The elongated member may be visually observable during use of the athletic training tool.

Claims

1. An athletic training tool including a ball and an elongated member attached thereto, the elongated member being attached to the ball in a manner effective to maintain the center of gravity of the ball.

2. The athletic training tool of claim 1 wherein the elongated member extends out from the surface of the ball a first length and extends into the ball a second length.

3. The athletic training tool of claim 1 wherein the elongated member is constructed from one or more resilient materials.

4. The athletic training tool of claim 1 wherein the elongated member extends into the ball a depth up to about 70.0 percent of the outer diameter of the ball.

5. The athletic training tool of claim 1 wherein the elongated member further comprises a resilient member disposed therein, the resilient member having a length up to about 95.0 percent the length of the elongated member.

6. The athletic training tool of claim 1 further including one or more hand/finger indicia disposed across the surface of the ball.

7. The athletic training tool of claim 1 wherein the elongated member is constructed from polyurethane rubber of about Shore 40A to about Shore 80A.

8. The athletic training tool of claim 6 wherein the hand/finger indicia correspond to hand/finger placement according to one or more particular baseball pitch grips.

9. The athletic training tool of claim 6 wherein the hand/finger indicia correspond to hand/finger placement according to one or more particular softball pitch grips.

10. A method of tracking the rotation of a sport sphere traveling in space comprising the following steps:

providing a sport sphere with one or more elongated members extending from the surface of the sphere, the elongated member being attached to the ball in a manner effective to maintain the center of gravity of the sphere;

establishing a desired rotation for a sphere to be delivered;

while delivering the sport sphere analyzing the rotation of the sport sphere compared to the desired rotation.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the sport sphere is an athletic ball defined by a first weight and the elongated member is a cylindrical member constructed from polyurethane rubber defined by a second weight, the weight of the elongated member being from about 0.1 percent to about 20.0 percent the weight of the athletic ball.

12. A system for collecting real time rotational data of a delivered athletic ball comprising:

an athletic training tool including a ball and an elongated member attached thereto, the elongated member being attached to the ball in a manner effective to maintain the center of gravity of the ball;

one or more sensors attached to the athletic training tool operationally configured to track movement of the athletic training tool; and

a computer in wireless communication with the one or more sensors for receiving movement data from the one or more sensors.