Tennis training and drilling device

• US 6,270,432 B1
• Filed: 09/13/1999
• Issued: 08/07/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Linda T. Matlock
• Original Assignee: Linda T. Matlock
• Inventors: Matlock, Linda T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chapman, Jeanette
• Assistant Examiner(s): Aryanpour, Mitra
• Application Number:
  US09/394,603
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 473/218, 473/270-271, 473/458-459, 473/425, 473/452, 473/464, 473/FOR.115, 473/FOR.106, 361/32, 361/36, 361/37, 482/900, 482/901, 482/902, 434/247, 434/252, 340/323.R, 340/574, 340/328, 340/666, 340/689, 340/573.1, 340/546, 340/276, 273/DIG.18, 439/37
• US Class Current: 473/464
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/34 with electrical or electronic arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/10 Tennis shoes
• CPC Class Codes: A43D 999/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1036 Measuring load distribution, e.g. podologic studies
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/367 Detection of balance between both feet, i.e. weight distribution
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/38 for tennis A63B61/006, A63B69/0073 and A63B69/0097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 482/90 Ergometer with feedback to load or with feedback comparison

Abstract

A sports footwork training device that immediately alerts players if their weight is not on the balls of the feet includes a switch removably attachable to a rearward portion of a lower surface of a sole of a shoe. The switch is closable by application of pressure to a heel of the shoe. An alarm, electrically coupled to the switch, is triggered when the switch is closed. A method for training a sports participant to maintain weight on a forward part of a foot is also described.

Claims

1. A sports footwork training device for use with a shoe worn by a user comprising:

a switch adapted to be in a closed position while body weight of the user is being applied to a heel of the shoe;

an alarm, electrically coupled to the switch;

a casing enclosing the switch, the casing adapted to fasten the switch to a rearward portion of an outside surface of a sole of a shoe; and

means for affixing the casing to the shoe, secured to the casing;

whereby the alarm is triggered while body weight of the user is being applied to the heel of the shoe.

2. A sports footwork training device according to claim 1, wherein said alarm comprises an audible alarm.

3. A sports footwork training device according to claim 1, wherein said alarm and said means for operating said alarm are enclosed in a casing.

4. A sports footwork training device according to claim 3, wherein said casing is flexible.

5. A sports footwork training device according to claim 3, wherein said casing additionally comprises a battery holder.

6. A sports footwork training device according to claim 3, wherein said casing is expandable.

7. A sports footwork training device according to claim 1, additionally comprising at least one clip for removably attaching said means for operating said alarm to the shoe.

8. A sports footwork training device according to claim 1, wherein said alarm is removably attachable to the shoe.

9. A sports footwork training device according to claim 8, additionally comprising at least one clip for removably attaching said alarm to the shoe.

10. A sports footwork training device for use with a shoe worn by a user comprising:

a switch adapted to be in a open position while body weight of the user is being applied to a heel of the shoe;

an alarm, electrically coupled to the switch;

a casing enclosing the switch, the casing adapted to fasten the switch to a rearward portion of an outside surface of a sole of a shoe; and

means for affixing the casing to the shoe, secured to the casing;

whereby the alarm is triggered while body weight of the user is being applied to the heel of the shoe.

11. A sports footwork training device according to claim 10, wherein said alarm is removably attachable to the shoe.

12. A method for training a sports participant to maintain weight on a forward part of a foot, said method comprising:

removably attaching, to a rearward portion of a lower surface of at least one sole of the sports participant'"'"'s shoe, a switch closable by application of pressure to a heel of the shoe; and

triggering an alarm, electrically coupled to said switch, when the sports participant applies pressure to the heel of the shoe, thereby encouraging the sports participant to maintain weight on the forward part of the foot.

13. The method of claim 12, additionally comprising, prior to triggering said alarm, removably attaching said alarm to an upper portion of the shoe.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein said alarm comprises an audible alarm, and wherein triggering said alarm comprises causing said alarm to emit an audible sound.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said switch and said alarm are enclosed in a casing, and wherein removably attaching said switch comprises removably attaching said casing to the shoe.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said casing additionally comprises a clip at either end, and wherein removably attaching said casing to the shoe comprises clipping said casing to the shoe at points below an inner and an outer ankle of the sports participant.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein said sports participant is a tennis player, and wherein removably attaching said switch comprises removably attaching said switch to at least one sole of the tennis player'"'"'s shoe.