Training device

• US 9,039,012 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2006
• Issued: 05/26/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: O'Sullivan, John Joe
• Original Assignee: O'Sullivan, John Joe
• Inventors: O'Sullivan, John Joe
• Primary Examiner(s): Hylinski, Steven J
• Application Number:
  US12/067,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20080246221A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,176 Days
• Field of Search: 273/348, 273355-358, 273/396, 273/399, 273/405, 273/408, 273/410
• US Class Current: 273/396
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0034 during flight
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/004 Multiple detectors or sensors each defining a different zone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0043 Systems for locating the point of impact on a specific surface
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/001 Targets or goals with ball-returning means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/18 Inclination, slope or curvature
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/76 Wind conditions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/802 Ultra-sound sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/805 Optical or opto-electronic sensors
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/806 Video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/833 Sensors arranged on the exercise apparatus or sports implement
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0033 Handball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0075 Means for generating exercise programs or schemes, e.g. computerized virtual trainer, e.g. using expert databases
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 47/002 Devices for dispensing balls, e.g. from a reservoir automatic teeing devices A63B57/0006; devices for projecting balls A63B69/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 47/025 Installations continuously collecting balls from the playing areas, e.g. by gravity, with conveyor belts
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/004 Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/002 : for football American-football dummies A63B69/34
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0053 : Apparatus generating random stimulus signals for reaction-time training involving a substantial physical effort
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/40 : Stationarily-arranged devices for projecting balls or other bodies golf cups with ball ejector means A63B57/405; traps for clay-pigeon targets F41J9/18
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 : Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A training device for installation in a practice area is provided, the training device providing an indication to a user as to where on a first surface of the training device a football should be aimed. The first surface is configured to allow the ball to pass through the first surface, where it is collected and returned to the user. The training device is also configured to indicate to the user approximately where in the practice area the football will be returned to, so as to allow the user to position themselves accordingly.

Claims

1. A training device for installation in a practice area comprising:

a main body,

a first surface supported by said main body, having a target face exposed to a user of said training device,

a ball firing mechanism, and

a visual return indicator operatively connected to the ball firing mechanism,

wherein said training device is operable to display a delivery target at a location on said first surface where it is desired that a user propel a ball, and said visual return indicator is operable to display a firing target indicating a particular location within the practice area that the ball firing mechanism will fire a ball towards;

wherein said first surface comprises a resilient plastic material and

wherein said resilient plastic material comprises at least one strip extending freely from said main body, wherein said at least one strip acts to retard the momentum of said ball, while allowing said ball to pass.

2. The training device of claim 1, wherein said training device comprises a target projector, the target projector operable to project a delivery target at a location on said first surface where it is desired that a user propel a ball.

3. The training device of claim 2, wherein said first surface comprises a translucent sheet.

4. The training device of claim 3, wherein said target projector is supported by said main body and is juxtaposed a surface of said translucent sheet opposite said target face.

5. The training device of claim 2, wherein said training device comprises a target controller coupled to said target projector, said controller being operable to vary said location on said first surface where it is desired that said user propel said ball.

6. The training device of claim 1, wherein said first surface comprises a cushioned surface.

7. The training device of claim 1, wherein said ball firing mechanism comprises an adjustable barrel and a ball propulsion mechanism for propelling a ball through said barrel.

8. The training device of claim 7, wherein said barrel is adjustable to direct the delivery of said ball to said user.

9. The training device of claim 8, wherein said barrel is tiltable along its vertical axis, by a vertical tilt angle.

10. The training device of claim 8, wherein said barrel is tiltable along its horizontal axis, by a horizontal tilt angle.

11. The training device of claim 7, wherein said ball propulsion mechanism is arranged to propel said ball at variable speeds.

12. The training device of claims 9, 10, or 11, wherein said training device comprises a ball return controller, the ball return controller being coupled to said visual return indicator, the ball return controller operable to predict a target location where a ball fired by said ball propulsion mechanism will initially land, wherein said prediction is based on a function of any one of the force imparted by said impelling mechanism, the vertical tilt angle, the horizontal tilt angle, or a combination thereof.

13. The training device of claim 12, wherein said visual return indicator comprises a moveable light source.

14. The training device of claim 13, wherein said visual return indicator is supported by said main body and is juxtaposed a surface of said translucent sheet opposite said target face.

15. The training device of claim 12, wherein said visual return indicator is operable to project a firing target on said first surface.

16. The training device of claim 12, wherein said visual return indicator is operable to project a firing target on the surface of said practice area.

17. The training device of claim 1, wherein said particular location can include a sector of the practice area, or a line along which the ball will be returned.

18. The training device of claim 1, wherein said training device comprises a sensor element, operable to detect a location on said first surface where said ball hits said first surface.

19. The training device of claim 18, wherein said training device comprises a plurality of sensor elements disposed around said first surface.

20. The training device of claim 19, wherein said sensor elements comprise sensors selected from a group including optical, inertia and pressure sensors.

21. The training device of claim 1, wherein said training device comprises a processor, operable to provide a comparison between said location on said first surface where it is desired that a user propel said ball and said location on said first surface where said ball hits said first surface.

22. The training device of one of claim 21 or claim 24, wherein said training device comprises data storage means adapted to store at least one of said comparison or said duration, or both.

23. The training device of claim 21, wherein said processor is coupled to said target controller and to said ball return controller, the processor operable to vary the operation of the target controller and the ball return controller.

24. The training device of claim 23, wherein the processor is coupled to a removable mobile device, said device allowing the training device to be controlled by an operator of the mobile device.

25. The training device of claim 24, wherein the mobile device is one of a laptop computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a mobile phone handset.

26. The training device of claim 1, wherein said training device comprises a timer operable to measure a duration between the time of display of said target at a location on said first surface where it is desired that said user propel a ball, and the time when a ball is detected hitting said first surface.

27. The training device of claim 1, wherein said training device includes a reservoir to store a plurality of balls.

28. The training device of claim 1, wherein said training device includes a ball collector to collect a ball propelled at the training device.

29. The training device of claim 28, wherein said ball collector comprises a chute.

30. The training device of claim 1, wherein the training device further comprises image recording means and image storage means, the image recording means being operable to record a video feed of a user of the training device when the training device is in use, and the storage means being operable to store the video feed.

31. The training device of claim 30, wherein the training device further comprises secondary display means, the secondary display means being coupled to the image recording means and the image storage means, the secondary display means being operable to display the stored video feed.

32. The training device of claim 31, wherein the secondary display means comprises a display screen, the display screen being mounted on the training device.