Interactive sports training device

• US 7,850,514 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2007
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gambit Training Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mark Weber
• Inventors: Weber, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Elisca; Pierre E
• Application Number:
  US11/673,288
• Publication Number:
  US 20070191141A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,404 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/7, 463/36, 463/2, 434/250, 434/257, 473/446, 473/269
• US Class Current: 463/2
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/02 Tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/14 Lacrosse
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/18 Baseball, rounders or similar games
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/12 Absolute positions, e.g. by using GPS
• 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 2230/06 heartbeat rate only
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2230/75 calorie expenditure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• 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 69/0026 for ice-hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0053 Apparatus generating random stimulus signals for reaction-time training involving a substantial physical effort

Abstract

An interactive sports training device has a plurality of light sources, multiple sensor means and a processor to facilitate the manoeuvring, passing and shooting of an object. Each sensor means is associated with one of the plurality of light sources, the sensor means being adapted to be triggered when an object is brought into close proximity with an activated light source. A processor means is coupled to the light sources and sensor means and is provided with at least one training program, and the processor means controls activation of the light sources according to at least one training program. When an object is placed in close proximity to an activated light source, the sensor communicates with the processor to deactivate the activated light source and to activate another light source in accordance with a training program. In use, it provides a system for simulating the unpredictable and competitive nature of multi-player sports by allowing a user to practice on his own in a ‘real life’ environment.

Claims

1. An interactive sports training device comprising:

an object having a magnet;

a body with a surface;

a plurality of light sources, each light source of said plurality of light sources visible at said surface when activated;

a plurality of sensors, one sensor of said plurality of sensors being associated with one light source of said plurality of light sources, the sensor of an activated light source detecting the magnet when said object is positioned in proximity of said activated light source;

a processor means coupled to each light source of said plurality of light sources and each sensor of said plurality of sensors, said processor means provided with at least one training program, wherein said processor means controls activation of of said plurality of light sources according to said at least one training program; and

wherein when said object is placed in close proximity to an activated light source, said sensor associated with said activated light source communicates with said processor means to effect the deactivation of said activated light source and the activation of another one of said plurality of light sources in accordance with said at least one training program.

2. An interactive sports training device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a control panel, said control panel providing a user input for interacting with the device.

3. An interactive sports training device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a display, said display connected to communicate with said processor means.

4. An interactive sports training device according to claim 1, wherein said surface is vertical.

5. An interactive sports training device according to claim 1, wherein said surface is divided into a plurality of units, each unit containing two or more of said plurality of light sources, each of said two or more light sources being associated with a separate sensor of said plurality of sensors.

6. An interactive sports training device according to claim 5, wherein each unit of said plurality of units being square-shaped and including a single light source of said plurality of light sources at each corner and at a center of said unit.

7. An interactive sports training device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a goal;

and wherein said body is positioned vertical in said goal.

8. An interactive sports training device according to claim 1, wherein said object is a ball.

9. An interactive sports training device according to claim 1, wherein the device communicates with another such device wirelessly.

10. An interactive sports training device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a monitor, whereby said monitor is provided for displaying physical fitness indexes.

11. An interactive sports training device according to claim 1, wherein the device is adapted to be used with a hockey or lacrosse goal.

12. An interactive sports training device according to claim 1, wherein the device is configured to be physically connected to one or more further such devices to form a multiplicity of interconnected devices.

13. An interactive sports training device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a monitor, whereby said monitor is provided for displaying physical fitness indexes.

14. An interactive sports training device according to claim 3, further comprising:

a monitor, whereby said monitor is provided for displaying physical fitness indexes.

15. An interactive sports training device according to claim 2, wherein the device is adapted to be utilized in a vertical position.

16. An interactive sports training device according to claim 3, wherein the device is adapted to be utilized in a vertical position.

17. An interactive sports training device according to claim 10, wherein the device is adapted to be utilized in a vertical position.

18. An interactive sports training device according to claim 2, wherein the device is adapted to be used with a hockey or lacrosse goal.

19. An interactive sports training device according to claim 3, wherein the device is adapted to be used with a hockey or lacrosse goal.

20. An interactive sports training device according to claim 9, wherein the device is adapted to be used with a hockey or lacrosse goal.

21. An interactive sports training device according to claim 10, wherein the device is adapted to be used with a hockey or lacrosse goal.

22. An interactive sports training device according to claim 6, wherein the device is adapted to be used with a hockey or lacrosse goal.

23. An interactive sports training device according to claim 2, wherein the device is configured to be physically connected to one or more further such devices to form a multiplicity of interconnected devices.

24. An interactive sports training device according to claim 3, wherein the device is capable of being physically connected to one or more further such devices to form a multiplicity of interconnected devices.