Patent ID: 9266002
Filing Date: 2016-02-23
CPC Classification: A63B

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus for improving the skills of a sports player, comprising: a plurality of target stations arranged in circumferentially spaced apart relation to one another about a central player location; at least one (1) visual display means capable of displaying differing patterns of illumination for each of said plurality of target stations; a signal generating system for generating a first detectable signal when at least one of said visual display means are illuminated with a common, predetermined light color or light pattern and a preselected at least one of said visual display means is illuminated with a predetermined light color or light pattern different from said common, predetermined light color or light pattern; said signal generating system adapted to generate a second detectable signal after a predetermined lapse of time from said generation of said first detectable signal; a ball delivering system for delivering a ball to said central player location from a predetermined location when said second detectable signal is generated; each of said plurality of target stations including a base; said visual display means mounted on each base so that a player positioned at said central player location can see each visual display means; each base having a top wall and laterally spaced apart legs to position said top wall a preselected distance above a ground surface; said top wall and said legs defining a passing box when positioned on a ground surface and adapted to receive said ball propelled by a player at said central player location; a transmitter of electromagnetic energy mounted to a preselected leg of said laterally spaced apart legs; a receiver of electromagnetic energy mounted to a preselected leg of said laterally spaced apart legs; said receiver adapted to generate and transmit a signal when said receiver detects a break in said transmitted electromagnetic energy.