Tethered-ball training device

• US 5,957,781 A
• Filed: 01/24/1997
• Issued: 09/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 01/24/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Patrick J. Kelly
• Original Assignee: Patrick J. Kelly
• Inventors: Kelly, Patrick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chapman, Jeanette
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLAU, STEPHEN LUTHER
• Application Number:
  US08/788,025
• Time in Patent Office: 977 Days
• Field of Search: 473/426, 473/424, 473/138, 473/140, 473/142, 473/425, 473/431, 473/143, 473/430-459, 473/490, 473/115, 473/120, 280/806, 242/374
• US Class Current: 473/140
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/024 with screws or pins in the earth
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/026 stabilised by weight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/055 used for fixing
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0084 the line or cord being fixed to at least two points

Abstract

A tethered-ball training device used for repetitive training exercises in a variety of sports. The tethered-ball trainer has a ball support means, a retraction means, and a ball. The retraction means is mounted on the support and the tether connects the retraction means to the ball. The retraction means, or tether-rewinding device, allows the tether to feed-out when a force is applied to the ball and provides for a controlled retraction when the force is removed. In alternate embodiments, the retraction means is a spring-wound cord reel and either one or more may be used. Various embodiments include one or multiple-tether devices, a sensor for determining the boundaries of ball travel and speed, completely collapsible support means, and length adjustment means for the support means.

Claims

1. A tethered-ball training device comprising:

a) a support;

b) first and second tether-rewinding devices coupled to said support and coupled to first and second tethers,

wherein the tether-rewinding devices allow the feed-out of the tethers when a force is applied thereto and the controlled retraction of the tethers when the force is removed; and

c) a ball coupled to the first and second tethers,

wherein said support further comprises;

d) a U-shaped support having a first vertical pole, a second vertical pole and a horizontal pole connecting the first vertical pole and the second vertical pole;

e) a base having a first leg and a second leg,

wherein the first vertical pole is coupled to the first leg and the second vertical pole is coupled to the second leg.

2. The tethered-ball training device of claim 1, wherein the tether-rewinding device is a spring-wound rotatable cord reel.

3. The tethered-ball training device of claim 2, wherein the spring-wound rotatable cord reel further comprises a speed-sensitive lock.

4. The tethered-ball training device of claim 1, wherein the support is collapsible.

5. The tethered-ball training device of claim 1, wherein the support is telescoping.

6. The tethered-ball training device of claim 2, further comprising;

a) a sensor operably coupled to the tethered-ball training device;

b) a digital processor operably coupled to the sensor for calculating the trajectory and speed of the ball; and

c) an output device operably coupled to the digital processor for communicating the trajectory and speed of the ball.

7. A tethered-ball training device comprising:

a) a U-shaped support having a first vertical pole, a second vertical pole and a horizontal pole connecting the first vertical pole and the second vertical pole;

b) a base having a first leg and a second leg,

wherein the first vertical pole is coupled to the first leg and the second vertical pole is coupled to the second leg;

c) a first tether-rewinding device having a first tether,

wherein the first tether-rewinding device is coupled to the first vertical pole;

d) a second tether-rewinding device having a second tether,

wherein the second tether-rewinding device is coupled to the second vertical pole; and

e) a ball attached to the first tether and the second tether, thus being suspended between the first and second vertical poles.

8. The tethered-ball training device of claim 7, wherein the tether-rewinding device is a spring-wound cord reel.

9. The tethered-ball training device of claim 7, further comprising:

a) a first brace connecting the first vertical pole and the first leg; and

b) a second brace connecting the second vertical pole and the second leg.

10. The tethered-ball training device of claim 7, further comprising:

a) a sensor operably coupled to the tethered-ball training device;

b) a digital processor operably coupled to the sensor for calculating the trajectory and speed of the ball; and

c) an output device operably coupled to the digital processor for communicating the trajectory and speed of the ball.

11. The tethered-ball training device of claim 7, wherein the first and second vertical poles are of adjustable length.

12. The tethered-ball training device of claim 11, wherein the U-shaped support and base are collapsible.

13. The tethered-ball training device of claim 7, wherein the tether-rewinding devices further comprise a speed-sensitive lock, wherein said tether-rewinding devices allow the feed-out of the tethers when a force is applied thereto and the controlled retraction of the tethers when the force is quickly removed and the speed-sensitive lock allows the tether-rewinding devices to lock in a partially retracted position when the tethers are allowed to slowly retract.

14. The tethered-ball training device of claim 13, wherein the support is collapsible.

15. The tethered-ball training device of claim 13, wherein the support is telescoping.