Method and apparatus for indicating the optimal shot path of a basketball

• US 5,365,427 A
• Filed: 02/10/1993
• Issued: 11/15/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gerard C. Soignet, Wyndham C. Payne
• Original Assignee: Gerard C. Soignet, Wyndham C. Payne
• Inventors: Soignet, Gerard C., Payne, Wyndham C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Envall, Jr., Roy N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHINGALA, GITA
• Application Number:
  US08/016,028
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 364/410, 273/1.5 R, 273/1.5 A, 273/2, 273/25, 340/323 R
• US Class Current: 473/448
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0012 Comparing movements or motion sequences with a registered reference
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0028 Tracking the path of an object, e.g. a ball inside a soccer pitch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 19/0038 Sports

Abstract

A system for evaluating the pre-existing free throw ability of the player, evaluating the players shot path, then defining the optimal path of the thrown ball from the point of release of the player to the rim of the target goal, and providing a target area suspended along the optimal path to assist the player in developing his or her ability to emulate the optimal path in adjusting their free throw method. The preferred, exemplary embodiment of the present invention teaches a two dimensional target path or three dimensional target conduit suspended along the defined optimal path of the calculated "perfect" free throw for the evaluated player, the target provided by a laser or series of lasers. The resulting target provides a visual indicator of the optimal path of the ball in free throw, which the user can attempt to emulate during practice, in order to improve and redefine his or her free throw ball path. Through repeated attempts at emulating the optimal path, the player can develop a "muscle memory" of the optimal arc trajectory for the "perfect" free throw, thereby providing a throw path having the highest margin of error, resulting in an improvement in scores. The present invention may utilize other systems for indicating the preferred path of the ball, such as motion detectors, a series of hoops along the optimal path, or related methods, many of which are disclosed in the present invention as alternative embodiments.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for training a player to shoot a ball at a target along an arcuate optimal shot trajectory, comprising the steps of:

a. using a computer for calculating an optimal shot path trajectory relative to said players location, said optimal shot path trajectory situated along an arcuate path running for generally the players point of release to generally said target;

b. providing shot path indicia means for visually indicating said arcuate path, wherein indicating said accurate path further comprises the sub steps of;

i. providing a first visible light path forming a flat vertical plane running in mid-air from the target to the player'"'"'s point of release;

ii. providing a second visible light path forming an arcuate plane, situated along said arcuate path comprising said optimal shot path;

iii. intersecting said first and second visible light paths, indicating in mid-air said optimal shot path trajectory,

c. aiming and shooting said ball along said intersection of said first and second light sources.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said visual indicia further comprises a first and second profile lasers configured to provide first and second light paths, along parabolic planes representing lower and upper intersecting with said first, overhead laser such that said intersection indicates the location of the optimal shot path, said first and second profile lasers forming said upper and lower sides of said target conduit, respectively.

2. A computer implemented system for training a player to learn to shoot a ball along optimal arcuate shot trajectory, in order to increase the margin of error in shooting the ball, comprising:

visual indicia means for visually indicating the location of the optimal path trajectory of the shot ball for the player, from the players predetermined point of release of the ball to the goal, said visual indicia means comprising an arcuate, target conduit formed by visual light configured to allow the passage of the ball therethrough, said target conduit having first and second ends, first and second sides, and upper and lower sides, said first end situated near the anticipated point of release of the player, said second end situated near the goal said visual indicia means further comprising first and second computer controlled overhead lasers programmed to provide a light path along the vertical pathway, forming the sidewalls of said target conduit, said first and second overhead lasers forming said first and second sides of said target conduit, respectively.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said visual indicia further comprises a second, profile laser (23) configured to provide a light path along a generally parabolic plane such that the location of the optimal shot path is indicated.

5. A computer implemented method for training a player to shoot a ball at a target along an arcuate, optimal shot trajectory, comprising the steps of:

a. measuring the player'"'"'s anticipated point of release when shooting said ball;

b. using a computer for calculating an optimal arcuate shot path trajectory relative to said players anticipated point of release, said optimal arcuate shot path trajectory situated along an arcuate path running from the players anticipated point of release to said target;

c. forming an arcuate plane of visible light having first and second ends, said arcuate plane suspended in mid-air along said optimal arcuate shot path, said first end of said arcuate plane running generally from said players point of release, said second end of said arcuate plane terminating near said target;

d. said player observing said arcuate plane of visible light and said target, while

e. attempting to aim and shoot said ball along a trajectory path along said arcuate path of visible light;

f. repeating steps a-e, while adjusting said ball'"'"'s trajectory to follow said optimal arcuate shot path trajectory.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein step "c" comprises the further step of scanning a focused light source along an acuate path at a speed and pattern sufficient to form said arcuate plane of visible light suspended in mid-air between said player and said target along said optimal arcuate shot path.

7. A computer, implemented method for training a player to shoot a ball at a target along an arcuate, optimal shot trajectory, comprising the steps of:

a. having the player shoot a ball at a target goal, recording on video said shot, said shot including said player releasing said ball, the path of said ball, and said target;

b. calculating an optimal shot path trajectory relative to said player relative to said target, said optimal shot path trajectory situated along an arcuate path running from generally the players point of release to said target;

c. displaying on a display monitor said players recorded shots, while using a computer for generating and superimposing over said player'"'"'s shots said calculated optimal shot path, said calculated optimal shot path comprising a computer generated visual arcuate band having first and second ends situated on said display monitor screen, said first end situated about the point of release of said player, said second end situated near said target goal, said visual arcuate band running generally along said calculated optimal shot path;

d. comparing the player'"'"'s shot patterns relative to said displayed optimal shot path;

e. repeating steps a-d, while adjusting said ball'"'"'s trajectory to follow said displayed shot path.

8. The method for training a player of claim 7, wherein step "d" further includes the step of adjusting said display monitor so that it may be viewed by said player while shooting, and simultaneously displaying in real time on said display monitor said player shooting free throws and the displayed optimal shot path.

9. A computer implemented method for training a player to shoot a ball at a target along an arcuate optimal shot trajectory, comprising the steps of:

a. measuring the player'"'"'s point of release relative to said target;

b. calculating an optimal shot path trajectory relative said players point of release and said target, said optimal shot path trajectory situated along an arcuate path running from generally the players point of release to generally said target;

c. providing computer controlled shot path indicia means for visually indicating said optimal shot path, comprising the additional step of;

providing a computer controlled visible light path forming an arcuate plane situated along said optimal shot path in mid-air between said player and said target, said visible light path having first and second ends, said first end situated in mid air generally near said player'"'"'s point of release, said second end situated generally near said target;

d. attempting to aim and shoot said ball along a trajectory path along said arcuate path of visible light;

e. comparing the player'"'"'s shot patterns relative to said displayed optimal shot path;

f. repeating steps c-e, while adjusting said ball'"'"'s trajectory to follow said displayed shot path.

10. The computer implemented system of claim 9, wherein said visual indicia means further comprises a computer controlled, scanning, focused light source situated transversely relative to said player, said light source configured to oscillate a beam of light along an arcuate path at a speed and pattern sufficient to form a the appearance of arcuate plane of visible light suspended in mid-air between said player and said target, along said optimal arcuate shot path.