Volleyball practice assembly

• US 9,694,268 B2
• Filed: 09/21/2015
• Issued: 07/04/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 09/21/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jacob Vincent
• Original Assignee: Jacob Vincent
• Inventors: Vincent, Jacob
• Primary Examiner(s): Berdichevsky, Aarti B
• Assistant Examiner(s): PENG, RAYSHUN K.
• Application Number:
  US14/859,454
• Publication Number:
  US 20170080318A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 473462, 473 17, 473190, 473454, 473426, 473140, 473459, 473473, 473476, 473422, 273378, 273371-377, 273407, 273386
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/004 Multiple detectors or sensors each defining a different zone
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/53 Force of an impact, e.g. blow or punch
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/62 Time or time measurement used for time reference, time stamp, master time or clock signal
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/09 Adjustable dimensions
• 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 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 69/0095 for volley-ball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A volleyball practice assembly includes a target unit that may be mounted to a support thereby facilitating the target unit to have a ball launched toward the target unit. The target unit registers when the ball strikes the target unit thereby facilitating the target unit to aid in accuracy training with respect to the ball. A control circuit is coupled to the target unit and the control circuit detects when the ball strikes the target unit. A remote unit is provided. The remote unit is in communication with the target unit such that the remote unit controls operational parameters of the target unit.

Claims

1. A volleyball practice assembly comprising:

a target unit being configured to be mounted to a support thereby facilitating said target unit to have a ball launched toward said target unit, said target unit being configured to register when the ball strikes said target unit thereby facilitating said target unit to aid in accuracy training with respect to the ball, said target unit including a housing having a middle section, a top section and a bottom section, said middle section having a front wall, a back wall and a peripheral edge extending between said front wall and said back wall, said peripheral edge having a top side and a bottom side, said back wall being configured to be coupled to the support, each of said top section and said bottom section having a forward wall and a perimeter edge;

a control circuit being coupled to said target unit wherein said control circuit is configured to detect when the ball strikes said target unit;

a remote unit being configured to be carried, said remote unit being in communication with said target unit such that said remote unit controls operational parameters of said target unit;

a pair of top supports, each of said top supports being coupled to and extending upwardly from said top side of said middle section, each of said top supports having a distal end with respect to said middle section;

each of said top supports having a first section being slidably coupled to a second section such that each of said top supports has a telescopically adjustable length; and

said perimeter edge corresponding to said top section of said housing being coupled to said distal end of each of said top supports such that said top section is selectively spaced from said middle section.

3. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

said target unit includes a middle section, said middle section having a front wall; and

said control circuit comprises;

a target processor being positioned within said middle section; and

a receiver being positioned within said middle section, said receiver being electrically coupled to said target processor.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, further comprising:

a middle pressure sensor being coupled to said front wall of said middle section wherein said middle pressure sensor is configured to be struck by the ball thereby facilitating said middle pressure sensor to detect the impact of the ball, said middle pressure sensor being electrically coupled to said target processor; and

a plurality of middle light emitters, each of said middle light emitters being coupled to said middle pressure sensor wherein each of said middle light emitters is configured to selectively emit light, each of said middle light emitters being electrically coupled to said target processor.

5. The assembly according to claim 3, further comprising:

a top pressure sensor being coupled to said forward wall corresponding to said top section wherein said top pressure sensor is configured to be struck by the ball thereby facilitating said top pressure sensor to detect the impact of the ball, said top pressure sensor being electrically coupled to said target processor; and

a plurality of top light emitters, each of said top light emitters being coupled to said top pressure sensor wherein each of said top light emitters is configured to selectively emit light, each of said top light emitters being electrically coupled to said target processor.

6. The assembly according to claim 3, further comprising:

a bottom pressure sensor being coupled to said forward wall corresponding to said bottom section wherein said bottom pressure sensor is configured to be struck by the ball thereby facilitating said bottom pressure sensor to detect the impact of the ball, said bottom pressure sensor being electrically coupled to said target processor; and

a plurality of bottom light emitters, each of said bottom light emitters being coupled to said bottom pressure sensor wherein each of said bottom light emitters is configured to selectively emit light, each of said bottom light emitters being electrically coupled to said target processor.

7. The assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a clock being coupled to said front wall of said middle section, said clock being electrically coupled to said target processor, said clock being configured to display a time of day.

8. The assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a timer being coupled to said front wall of said middle section, said timer being electrically coupled to said target processor, said timer being configured to display a duration of time between target unit being struck by the ball.

9. The assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a counter being coupled to said front wall of said middle section, said counter being electrically coupled to said target processor, said counter being configured to display a number of times the ball strikes said target unit.

10. The assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a power cord extending outwardly from said middle section, said power cord being electrically coupled to said target processor, said power cord having a distal end with respect to said middle section, said distal end having a plug being electrically coupled thereto, said plug being configured to be electrically coupled to a power source.

11. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said remote unit comprises:

a remote housing having a top wall;

a remote processor being positioned within said remote housing; and

a transmitter being positioned within said remote housing, said transmitter being electrically coupled to said remote processor, said transmitter being in electrical communication with said receiver.

12. The assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a plurality of buttons, each of said buttons being coupled to said top wall wherein each of said buttons is configured to be manipulated, each of said buttons being electrically coupled to said remote processor, each of said buttons controlling the operational parameters of said target unit.

13. The assembly according to claim 11, further comprising a power supply being positioned within said remote housing, said power supply being electrically coupled to said remote processor, said power supply comprising at least one battery.

2. A volleyball practice assembly comprising:

a target unit being configured to be mounted to a support thereby facilitating said target unit to have a ball launched toward said target unit, said target unit being configured to register when the ball strikes said target unit thereby facilitating said target unit to aid in accuracy training with respect to the ball, said target unit including a housing having a middle section, a top section and a bottom section, said middle section having a front wall, a back wall and a peripheral edge extending between said front wall and said back wall, said peripheral edge having a top side and a bottom side, said back wall being configured to be coupled to the support, each of said top section and said bottom section having a forward wall and a perimeter edge;

a control circuit being coupled to said target unit wherein said control circuit is configured to detect when the ball strikes said target unit;

a remote unit being configured to be carried, said remote unit being in communication with said target unit such that said remote unit controls operational parameters of said target unit;

a pair of bottom supports, each of said bottom supports being coupled to and extending upwardly from said bottom side of said middle section, each of said bottom supports having a distal end with respect to said middle section;

each of said bottom supports having a first section being slidably coupled to a second section such that each of said bottom supports has a telescopically adjustable length; and

said perimeter edge corresponding to said bottom section of said housing being coupled to said distal end of each of said bottom supports such that said bottom section is selectively spaced from said middle section.

14. A volleyball practice assembly comprising:

a target unit being configured to be mounted to a support thereby facilitating said target to have a ball launched toward said target unit, said target unit being configured to register when the ball strikes said target unit thereby facilitating said target unit to aid in accuracy training with respect to the ball, said target unit comprising;

a housing having a middle section, a top section and a bottom section, said middle section having a front wall, a back wall and a peripheral edge extending between said front wall and said back wall, said peripheral edge having a top side and a bottom side, said back wall being configured to be coupled to the support, each of said top section and said bottom section having a forward wall and a perimeter edge,

a pair of top supports, each of said top supports being coupled to and extending upwardly from said top side of said middle section, each of said top supports having a distal end with respect to said middle section, each of said top supports having a first section being slidably coupled to a second section such that each of said top supports has a telescopically adjustable length, said peripheral wall corresponding to said top section of said housing being coupled to said distal end of each of said top supports such that said top section is selectively spaced from said middle section,

a pair of bottom supports, each of said bottom supports being coupled to and extending upwardly from said bottom side of said middle section, each of said bottom supports having a distal end with respect to said middle section, each of said bottom supports having a first section being slidably coupled to a second section such that each of said bottom supports has a telescopically adjustable length, said peripheral wall corresponding to said bottom section of said housing being coupled to said distal end of each of said bottom supports such that said bottom section is selectively spaced from said middle section,

a control circuit being coupled to said target unit wherein said control circuit is configured to detect when the ball strikes said target unit, said control circuit comprising;

a target processor being positioned within said middle section,

a receiver being positioned within said middle section, said receiver being electrically coupled to said target processor,

a middle pressure sensor being coupled to said front wall of said middle section wherein said middle pressure sensor is configured to be struck by the ball thereby facilitating said middle pressure sensor to detect the impact of the ball, said middle pressure sensor being electrically coupled to said target processor,

a plurality of middle light emitters, each of said middle light emitters being coupled to said middle pressure sensor wherein each of said middle light emitters is configured to selectively emit light, each of said middle light emitters being electrically coupled to said target processor,

a top pressure sensor being coupled to said forward wall corresponding to said top section wherein said top pressure sensor is configured to be struck by the ball thereby facilitating said top pressure sensor to detect the impact of the ball, said top pressure sensor being electrically coupled to said target processor,

a plurality of top light emitters, each of said top light emitters being coupled to said top pressure sensor wherein each of said top light emitters is configured to selectively emit light, each of said top light emitters being electrically coupled to said target processor,

a bottom pressure sensor being coupled to said forward wall corresponding to said bottom section wherein said bottom pressure sensor is configured to be struck by the ball thereby facilitating said bottom pressure sensor to detect the impact of the ball, said bottom pressure sensor being electrically coupled to said target processor,

a plurality of bottom light emitters, each of said bottom light emitters being coupled to said bottom pressure sensor wherein each of said bottom light emitters is configured to selectively emit light, each of said bottom light emitters being electrically coupled to said target processor,

a clock being coupled to said front wall of said middle section, said clock being electrically coupled to said target processor, said clock being configured to display a time of day,

a timer being coupled to said front wall of said middle section, said timer being electrically coupled to said target processor, said timer being configured to display a duration of time between target unit being struck by the ball,

a counter being coupled to said front wall of said middle section, said counter being electrically coupled to said target processor, said counter being configured to display a number of times the ball strikes said target unit, and

a power cord extending outwardly from said middle section, said power cord being electrically coupled to said target processor, said power cord having a distal end with respect to said middle section, said distal end having a plug being electrically coupled thereto, said plug being configured to be electrically coupled to a power source; and

a remote unit being configured to be carried, said remote unit being in communication with said target unit such that said remote unit controls operational parameters of said target unit, said remote unit comprising;

a remote housing having a top wall,

a remote processor being positioned within said remote housing,

a transmitter being positioned within said remote housing, said transmitter being electrically coupled to said remote processor, said transmitter being in electrical communication with said receiver,

a plurality of buttons, each of said buttons being coupled to said top wall wherein each of said buttons is configured to be manipulated, each of said buttons being electrically coupled to said remote processor, each of said buttons controlling the operational parameters of said target unit, and

a power supply being positioned within said remote housing, said power supply being electrically coupled to said remote processor, said power supply comprising at least one battery.