Sports training system

• US 8,758,172 B2
• Filed: 05/18/2011
• Issued: 06/24/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas Creguer
• Original Assignee: Thomas Creguer
• Inventors: Creguer, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Aryanpour, Mitra
• Application Number:
  US13/110,039
• Publication Number:
  US 20120295740A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,133 Days
• Field of Search: 473/422, 473/438, 473/450, 473/458, 473/464, 473569-571, 473/198, 473/200, 482/8, 482/84
• US Class Current: 473/422
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0627 when used improperly, e.g. by giving a warning
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/063 Spoken or verbal instructions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0658 Position or arrangement of display
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/51 Force
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/56 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/20 with means for remote communication, e.g. internet or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0066 Rugby; American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0095 Volleyball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 41/00 Hollow inflatable balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/002 with special configuration, e.g. non-spherical discs for throwing A63B65/10
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/004 electrically conductive, e.g. for automatic arbitration
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 45/00 Apparatus or methods for manufacturing balls working of plastics or substances in a plastic state B29
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/00 Training appliances or apparatus for special sports training of parachutists B64D23/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/002 for football American-football dummies A63B69/34
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user

Abstract

A training device includes a controller, and a sensor in communication with the controller. The sensor is configured for measuring a force. At least one indicator is in communication with the controller for indicating when a force falls below a predetermined threshold.

Claims

1. A training device comprising:

a controller;

at least one sensor in communication with the controller configured to measure a force applied to the training device, the controller configured to determine when the force applied to the training device decreases below a predetermined elevated level, wherein the training device is a ball having an outer skin surrounding an inner bladder and a first side of the at least one sensor contacts the inner bladder and a second opposite side of the at least one sensor contacts the outer skin; and

at least one indicator in communication with the controller configured to indicate when the force decreases below the predetermined elevated level.

2. The training device of claim 1, wherein the at least one indicator is a speaker.

3. The training device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is located between the outer skin and the inner bladder.

4. The training device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is a pressure sensor.

5. The training device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor is a resistive flex sensor.

6. The training device of claim 1, wherein the controller is located within a control module, the control module is integrally attached with the training device.

7. The training device of claim 6, wherein the control module further includes memory and a data connector in communication with the controller.

8. The training device of claim 6, wherein the control module further includes a display.

9. The training device of claim 1, wherein the ball is a football.

13. The training device of claim 1, wherein the at least one sensor includes a plurality of sensors.

14. The training device of claim 13, wherein a first sensor is located on a first side of the training device and a second sensor is located on a second side of the training device opposite the first side and a third sensor is located on a third side of the training device and a fourth sensor is located on a fourth side of the training device opposite the third side.

15. The training device of claim 14, wherein the first sensor, the second sensor, the third sensor, and the fourth sensor are located between an inner bladder and an outer skin on the training device.

17. The training device of claim 7, wherein the data connector is an input/output port.

10. A training device comprising:

a body portion wherein the training device is a ball having an outer skin surrounding an inner bladder;

a plurality of sensors configured to measure a generally consistent elevated force applied to the body portion and the plurality of sensors contact the inner bladder on a first side and the outer skin on a second side opposite the first side, wherein the training device is a ball;

a controller configured to determine when the generally consistent elevated force decreases below a predetermined threshold; and

at least one indicator in communication with the controller configured to indicate when the generally consistent elevated force decreases below the predetermined threshold.

11. The training device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sensors includes a resistive flex sensor located on an attachment member.

12. The training device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of sensors includes a pressure sensor.

16. The training device of claim 10, including a first pair of sensors located on a first side of the training device and a second pair sensor located on a second side of the training device opposite the first side, wherein the first pair of sensors and the second pair of sensors extend in a generally longitudinal directional, and including a third pair of sensors located on a third side of the training device and a fourth pair of sensors located on a fourth side of the training device opposite the third side, wherein the third pair of sensors and the fourth pair of sensors extend in a generally longitudinal direction.