Patent ID: 6168539
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
A soccer ball spin training tether, comprising: a ball; a tether comprising an elastic portion and a cord, said elastic portion being capable of stretching at a uniform rate providing a constant tension; means for attaching said tether to said ball at a central point including a first flexible washer having a central hole therein attached to a peripheral surface of said ball, a second flexible washer to an outer surface of said first flexible washer and a hollow rivet inserted thereinbetween, said hollow rivet having upper and lower flanges extending from a central collar forming a smooth interior surface for contact with said cord and forming a restriction for cooperative engagement with a distal end of said cord, said distal end of said cord inserted through said rivet attaching said cord thereto and enabling said ball to spin freely independent of said cord and providing a generally flat attachment point; means for lengthening or shortening said tether and for adjusting the length of said elastic portion with respect to said cord; said means for attaching said tether comprising an enlarged and flattened distal end formed in said cord of said tether including a coating thereon selected from the group consisting of paraffin wax, plastic, and shrink wrap for providing a protective sheath for preventing unraveling of said cord.