Tennis training and rating apparatus

• US 4,116,437 A
• Filed: 02/08/1973
• Issued: 09/26/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1973
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Neil E. Johnson
• Original Assignee: Neil E. Johnson
• Inventors: Johnson, Neil E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Brown, T.
• Application Number:
  US05/330,467
• Time in Patent Office: 2,056 Days
• Field of Search: 73/79, 73/379, 73/13, 273/184 R, 273/29 A, 273/185 R, 273/185 A, 273/185 B, 273/181 R, 273/181 H, 273/181 J, 273/181 G, 273/102.1 B, 273/102.1 C , 273/102.1 F, 273/102.1 G, 273/102.2 A, 273/183 R, 273/102.2 B, 273/26 R, 273/29 R, 273/30
• US Class Current: 473/462
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/004 Multiple detectors or sensors each defining a different zone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/30 Speed
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 61/006 Accessories for training purposes mounted on the net
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0097 Ball rebound walls with holes or in combination with nets A63B63/00

Abstract

A tennis training and rating apparatus comprises one or more ball delivery devices for delivering tennis balls past a net into a playing area so that a player may return the balls back over the net against a target assembly. The target assembly is composed of a series of target sections each of which is actuated when struck by a tennis ball to provide a corresponding output signal representing accuracy of placement of the return shot and the output signals are fed to a target area recorder which records the signals. A speed sensing system senses the speed of each tennis ball as it is returned over the net against the target assembly and provides an appropriate speed signal which is delivered to a speed recorder which records the speed signals. A computer device receives the signals from both the target area recorder and the speed recorder and computes the player'"'"'s score based upon accuracy of placement and speed of the return shots.

Claims

1. A tennis training and rating apparatus comprising:

a playing area having opposite ends;

ball-delivering means for individually delivering tennis balls into said playing area so that they may be returned by a player during use of the apparatus;

a tennis net disposed on said playing area transversely thereof; and

ball-accuracy sensing means for sensing the accuracy of placement of the tennis balls returned by the player against a predetermined target area positioned in a plane corresponding to the plane of said tennis net, and providing an output accuracy signal having a value dependent upon which portion of the target area the ball strikes, said target area comprising a plurality of individual target sections each having a ball-striking surface on which the returned balls initially strike on the fly and before bouncing when hitting said target area and each mounted for actuation independently of the others, means mounting said plurality of target sections in vertically superposed relationship one above the other with their corresponding ball-striking surfaces lying in vertical superposition and substantially aligned in the plane of said tennis net, and means for providing a different output accuracy signal in response to actuation of each target section including means for providing a signal having a different value in response to actuation of each target section.

2. The tennis training apparatus according to claim 1;

including a mat positionable on the ground to define a bounce area for receiving thereon the tennis balls delivered from said ball delivering means.