Abstract:
A ball travel-modifying device comprising a sail and a strikeable object modifies a travel distance and a rate of travel of a struck or thrown object and returns the strikeable object to an initial rest position after each hit or throw. The shape of the sail is triangular, quadrilateral, or other shapes and may be symmetric or asymmetric. The sail may be formed with a flat or curved surface and straight or curved edges. Multiple sails of the same or varying size and shape may be slidably adjusted along a suspension line. One or more apertures may be formed in the sail to modify a speed or a direction of a moving strikeable object. An adjustable aperture permits adaptation to various strikeable objects having a variety of sizes and weights or to cause a strikeable object to move in a preferred direction or with a preferred rate of travel.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a device to modify the speed and trajectory of a strikeable object after the object has been struck or thrown. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In sports such as baseball, softball, handball, golf, badminton, hockey, volleyball, football, field hockey and soccer, a player hits, kicks, or throws a strikeable object over a relatively long distance at relatively high speed. A strikeable object may be, but is not limited to, a ball, a shuttlecock, or a puck. The word “ball” will be used herein as an example of any such strikeable object. Many players of such sports practice to improve their strength and skill in controlling the speed and direction of the strikeable object. However, limitations in a practice area, such as limited space, safety hazards, or obstacles that would interfere with or be damaged by a moving strikeable object, may make it impractical to allow an object to travel freely after being struck or thrown. Furthermore, it is sometimes desirable to present a strikeable object to a player in a manner convenient for repetitive practice, exercise, or physical therapy. Also, some players practice alone for enjoyment, to warm up before a game, or when other players are not available. 
     Some devices use a net or cage to capture a struck or thrown object. Some devices have a strikeable object with a plurality of holes wherein air flowing through the holes reduces the speed and the distance traveled by the object. Other devices attach a parachute to a strikeable object to achieve similar results. In some devices, the speed of the strikeable object is reduced but the direction of travel is not modified, so the object may land in a location from which it cannot be easily or safely retrieved or the object may cause damage upon impacting another object. Other devices attach an elastic tether to a strikeable object to cause a struck or thrown object to return to the player. Some devices return the strikeable object to the player at a relatively high speed, which can be intimidating or unsafe for novice or young players. Some devices have limited portability or are difficult for young or inexperienced players to set up, and some devices are not suitable for indoor use. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention relates to a device to modify the travel of a strikeable object after the object has been struck or thrown. The invention includes a device comprising a strikeable object coupled to a sail. Alternatively, the invention includes a device comprising a strikeable object coupled to multiple sails. In some embodiments, the strikeable object is a ball. The sail is formed with three or more sides and has a shape and size to provide an effective amount of aerodynamic resistance to reduce the speed of a strikeable object placed in motion by a player. In some embodiments, the sail has a relatively large, flat surface. In other embodiments, the sail has a curved surface. The sail area may be symmetric or asymmetric relative to a reference line through the device. A strikeable object having at least one through-hole is adjustably coupled to the sail by a line passing slidably through the strikeable object and through a sleeve on the sail. Alternatively, the line is attached to the sail. In some embodiments, the strikeable object is detachable from the sail, enabling changes in the type of strikeable object used or replacement of a worn strikeable object. 
     A line connected to an end of a device built in accord with the invention permits attachment of the device to an external anchor. In some embodiments, the line is a suspension line that adjustably couples the strikeable object to the sail and adjustably couples the sail to the external anchor. In other embodiments, a first line is the suspension line and a second line is an adjustment line that adjustably couples the ball to the sail. The suspension line and adjustment line may be permanently attached to the sail or alternatively may be removably attached to the sail. 
     An external anchor may be a bracket, hook, clip, shackle, or similar connection hardware coupled to a wall, pole, support stand, beam, ceiling, fence, or similar stable structure, a hole formed in such a structure, or connection hardware coupled to a surface upon which the player stands, such as a stake driven into the ground or a shackle connected to a playing surface or to a heavy base such as a concrete block or heavy metal plate. Preferred external anchors will be displaced by a relatively small amount by a force from placing the strikeable object in motion or by a force from the object reaching a limit of its travel. An adjustable separation distance between the sail and the external anchor is set to a distance selected by the player. In some embodiments, the player may set an adjustable separation distance between the strikeable object and the sail or between the strikeable object and a surface upon which the player stands. 
     The sail is suspended at one end from an external anchor. The strikeable object is suspended from an opposite end of the sail. A distance measured from the external anchor to the strikeable object, plus an additional distance from material stretching, corresponds to a limit of travel for the strikeable object after the player sets the strikeable object in motion. After reaching the limit of travel, the strikeable object returns to the rest position and may be struck or thrown again. 
     A maximum speed of the strikeable object is reached shortly after the strikeable object is placed in motion and leaves the rest position. Thereafter, the speed of the moving strikeable object is reduced by aerodynamic resistance acting against a large surface of the sail, with lesser contributions to aerodynamic resistance from other parts of the embodiments of the invention. The sail is effective in reducing the speed of the strikeable object while the strikeable object and sail are moving together through the air. In some embodiments, the sail is formed with an aperture to alter the aerodynamic resistance of the sail. A size, shape, position, and number of apertures are selected to give an effective amount of aerodynamic resistance for a combination of size and weight of strikeable object. Alternatively, the sail has an aperture with an adjustable closure to permit a player to adapt the aerodynamic resistance of the sail to strikeable objects having a variety of sizes and weights. In some embodiments, an asymmetric sail affects the path of a moving strikeable object. In other embodiments multiple sails are used to alter the aerodynamic resistance of the device. The number of sails and the size, shape, configuration and position of each sail are selected to give an effective amount of aerodynamic resistance for a combination of weight of strikeable object and desired speed of travel of strikeable object after being struck or thrown. Alternatively, one or more multiple sails are adjustably positioned on the device to permit altering aerodynamic resistance of the device. In some multiple sail embodiments one or more overhanging sails alter the aerodynamic resistance of the device. The overhanging sail is effective in providing greater aerodynamic resistance as the strikeable object and sails are moving together through the air in one direction and then providing lesser aerodynamic resistance as the strikeable object and sails are moving together through the air in an opposite direction. 
     This section summarizes some features of the present embodiment. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become better understood with regard to the following description and upon reference to the following drawings, wherein: 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3A  is a front view of an embodiment of the invention having multiple sails. 
         FIG. 3B  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4A  is a front view of an embodiment of the invention having multiple adjustable sails. 
         FIG. 4B  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4A . 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of an example of a ball having a through-hole. 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the ball of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a top view of an example of a ball having two through-holes. 
         FIG. 8  is a front view of the ball of  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged section of the sail showing a suspension line in a sleeve on the sail. The viewing direction for  FIG. 9  is shown by a line B-B in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of an embodiment having a sail with a curved surface. 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of an embodiment having a rectangular sail, an aperture through the sail, an adjustable closure, and a closure fastener. 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of an embodiment having a triangular sail and a plurality of apertures through the sail and an adjustable suspension line which does not pass all the way through the ball. 
         FIG. 13  is a front view of an embodiment having an asymmetric sail, a suspension line, and an adjustment line. 
         FIG. 14  is a front view of an embodiment having a suspension line and an adjustment line and showing adjustable separation distances D 1 , D 2 , and D 3 . 
         FIG. 15  is a top view of an example of a ball having two intersecting through-holes. 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of the ball of  FIG. 15 . 
         FIG. 17A  is a front view of an embodiment of the invention having multiple overhanging sails. 
         FIG. 17B  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 17A . 
         FIG. 17C  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 17A  while in motion in a direction providing greater aerodynamic resistance due to the incorporation of overhanging sails. 
         FIG. 17D  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 17A  while in motion in an opposite direction to that illustrated in  FIG. 17C  providing lesser aerodynamic resistance due to the incorporation of overhanging sails. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention include a device intended to modify the travel of a strikeable object after the strikeable object has been struck or thrown. Devices built in accord with the invention are particularly suited for use with various kinds of balls, and the example embodiments below will be described using a ball as the strikeable object. Some of the benefits of the embodiments of the invention include, but are not limited to, portability, safety, ease of set-up by young or inexperienced players, return of the ball to its initial rest position after being struck or thrown, suitability for use indoors or outdoors, suitability for unsupervised individual practice, adjustable separation of the sail and the external anchor, adjustable separation of the sails relative to each other, adjustable separation of the ball relative to the sail or relative to a surface upon which a player stands to accommodate players of different sizes or different preferred practice motions, and detachable coupling of the ball to the sail to enable use of different types of balls or replacement of a worn ball. Other benefits include use as an aid to improve a player&#39;s strength and coordination, development of muscle memory, and use as a physical therapy device. 
     An embodiment of the invention illustrated in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  comprises a ball  7  coupled to a sail  3  with a suspension line  1 . Aerodynamic resistance from the motion of the sail  3  through air reduces the speed of the ball  7  coupled to the sail  3 . Other parts of the embodiments of the invention may also contribute to aerodynamic resistance. As shown in the side view of  FIG. 2 , the sail  3  is flat. Alternatively, the sail  3  may be shaped into a surface having a smooth curve or a surface with folds or wrinkles to provide differing amounts of aerodynamic resistance compared to a flat sail. A side view of an embodiment having a curved sail  3  appears in  FIG. 10 . The sail  3  in  FIG. 10  is shown in a distended position. Curved shapes other than the one shown in  FIG. 10  may be used. An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 3A  and  FIG. 3B  and comprises a ball  7  coupled to multiple sails  3  with a suspension line  1 . Sail configurations other than the one shown in  FIG. 3A  may be used. An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  and comprises a ball  7  coupled to multiple sails  3  with a suspension line  1 , and adjustable sail restraints  20  to adjust the position of the sails. Sail positions and configurations other than that shown in  FIG. 4A  may be used. An alternative multiple sail embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIG. 17A ,  FIG. 17A ,  FIG. 17B ,  FIG. 17C  and  FIG. 17D  and comprises a ball  7  coupled to multiple sails in which two are overhanging sails  17 . In  FIG. 17C  a direction of travel  18  is shown to illustrate the aerodynamic resistance created by overhanging sails  17  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 17B  while the device travels in direction of travel  18 . In  FIG. 17C  overhanging sails  17  are shown against the device to properly reflect the greater aerodynamic resistance of overhanging sails when the device moves in direction of travel  18 . In  FIG. 17D  an opposite direction of travel  19  is shown to illustrate the aerodynamic resistance created by overhanging sails  17  of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 17B  while the device travels in an opposite direction of travel  19  to that shown in  FIG. 17C . In  FIG. 17D  overhanging sails  17  are shown fluttering away from the device to properly reflect the lesser aerodynamic resistance of overhanging sails when the device moves in direction of travel  19 . 
     Alternative sail shapes include, but are not limited to, triangular, rectangular, or cross shape. The sail may be formed with more sail area on one side of a central axis of the embodiment than the other side of the central axis and is referred to herein as an asymmetric sail. In some embodiments an asymmetric sail causes a moving ball to travel on a preferred path. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the sail  3  is quadrilateral.  FIG. 11  shows a sail having a rectangular shape. A sail having a triangular shape is shown in  FIG. 12 . An asymmetric sail is shown in  FIG. 13 . The sail  3  may alternatively be formed with a straight edge or a curved edge. In an example of an embodiment having a ball  7  the size and weight of a baseball, the sail of  FIG. 1  has a width of approximately 8 inches (20 cm) near the top, a width of approximately 4 inches (10 cm) near the bottom, and a length of approximately 50 to 60 inches (127 to 152 cm), but other dimensions may also be used. 
     The material of the sail  3  is chosen for strength, flexibility, resistance to damage from abrasion, sunlight, and moisture, light weight, and ease of forming into a desired shape. Examples of sail materials include, but are not limited to, woven fabric made from cotton, nylon, or polyester, blends that include these materials, fabrics made from these materials having an open weave to permit air to flow through holes in the weave, and nonwoven materials such as polyester formed into thin, strong, flexible sheets. The sail may alternatively be formed from a stiff or flexible material. In a multiple sail embodiment all of the sails may be made from the same material; alternatively all of the sails may not be made from the same material. 
     In embodiments of the invention wherein a portion of the sail  3  is free to slide along the suspension line  1  and wherein the material of the sail is sufficiently flexible, a length of the sail  3  may be adjusted by sliding an end of the sail toward the opposite end. The resulting shortened and folded or wrinkled sail will have a different amount of aerodynamic resistance compared to a sail stretched to its full length. Such a change in the length of the sail  3  may be made to affect a rate or direction of travel by a struck or thrown ball  7  or other strikeable object coupled to the embodiment. In embodiments of the invention as illustrated in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B  wherein the entire sail  3  is free to slide along the suspension line  1  and wherein the sail position is determined by the location of adjustable sail restraint  20  on suspension line  1 , sail  3  may be repositioned along suspension line  1  by sliding adjustable sail restraint  20  along the suspension line. The repositioned sail  3  modifies the speed and trajectory of strikeable object  7  after being struck compared to the speed and trajectory of strikeable object  7  after being struck wherein the sail  3  was in the original position. The adjustable sail restraint  20  may be a clip, line toggle, cord lock, ferrule, or clamp. An embodiment having two adjustable sail restraints  20  comprising a cord lock coupled to the suspension line  1  is shown in  FIG. 4A  and  FIG. 4B . 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 1  includes the ball  7 . A top view of the ball  7  is shown in  FIG. 5  and a front view is shown in  FIG. 6 . The ball  7  is provided with a through-hole  12  having a diameter sufficiently large to admit two strands of line. Another embodiment of the ball  7  with two through-holes is shown in  FIG. 7  in a top view and  FIG. 8  in a front view, with each through-hole  12  sized to admit a single strand of line. A long axis of a through-hole  12  may alternatively be parallel to an axis through the center of the ball or not parallel to an axis through the center of the ball.  FIG. 15  shows a top view of a ball having a first through-hole  12  which intersects a second through-hole  12 . A front view of the ball of  FIG. 15  is shown in  FIG. 16 . 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 5 , the sail  3 , and ball  7  are coupled together by a suspension line  1 . An end of the suspension line  1  is passed through a hole  12  in the ball  7 , through a sleeve along a first side of the sail  3 , through a sleeve along a second side of the sail  3 , and back through the hole  12  in the ball  7 . 
     In other embodiments, a line for coupling the ball  7  to the sail  3  is an adjustment line  10 , a separate line from the suspension line  1 . An embodiment having an adjustment line  10  and a suspension line  1  is shown in  FIG. 13 . In some embodiments with an adjustment line  10 , the adjustment line  10  or the ball  7 , or both, are detachable. In embodiments with a suspension line  1  and an adjustment line  10 , the two lines may pass through the same sleeve in the sail as shown in  FIG. 13 , or the suspension line  1  may pass through a sleeve at one end of the sail and the adjustment line  10  may pass through a sleeve at an opposite end of the sail. 
     An enlarged cross section in  FIG. 9  shows the suspension line  1  inside sleeves along the sides of the sail  3 . The viewing direction for  FIG. 9  is shown by a line B-B in  FIG. 1 . For embodiments having a suspension line  1  and an adjustment line  10  in separate sleeves, the sail  3  may be formed without sleeves along the sides, or the sleeves may contain a stiff rod, wire, or bar with or instead of a suspension line  1 . A sufficient amount of slack is provided in the suspension line  1  to permit the embodiments of the invention to be suspended from an external anchor  9 . The external anchor  9  is not a part of the embodiments described herein. The suspension line  1  remains hung or attached to the external anchor  9  while the embodiment is in use, but may be detached from the external anchor  9  to permit storage or use of an embodiment of the invention at another location. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , an adjustable line restraint  8  for setting an adjustable separation between the ball  7  and the lower end of the sail  3  comprises a knot formed in the suspension line  1  underneath and adjacent to the ball  7 . In other embodiments, the adjustable line restraint  8  couples the ball  7  to the adjustment line  10 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . The adjustable line restraint  8  may alternatively comprise a knot, clip, line toggle, cord lock, ferrule, or clamp. An embodiment having an adjustable line restraint  8  comprising a cord lock coupled to the suspension line  1  and another line restraint  8  comprising a cord lock coupled to the adjustment line  10  is shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     By positioning a first adjustable line restraint  8  on the suspension line  1  and a second adjustable line restraint  8  on the adjustment line  10 , the position of the ball  7  may be adjusted to a preferred separation distance between the ball and the external anchor  9 , as shown in  FIG. 14  by the distance marked D 1 . A preferred separation distance between the ball  7  and the bottom end of the sail  3  may be set as shown by the distance marked D 2  in  FIG. 14 . In an embodiment having a suspension line  1  but not an adjustment line  10 , for example the embodiment of  FIG. 1 , separation distance D 2  may not be set independently of separation distance D 1 . A preferred separation distance between the ball  7  and a surface upon which a person stands  16  may be set as shown by the distance marked D 3  in  FIG. 14 . An example of a separation distance between the ball  7  and the lower end of the sail  3  is about two to three feet, but other separation distances may be used. 
     The material of the suspension line  1  and adjustment line  10  is chosen to be strong enough to withstand repeated impulse loads from striking or throwing the ball, have good abrasion resistance, and resist damage from sunlight and moisture. Examples materials include, but are not limited to, nylon, polyester, metal wire, blends of these materials with each other or with other materials, and lines formed from joined segments of these and other materials. 
     In some embodiments, the suspension line  1  is permanently attached by adhesive, fusing, or sewing to the sail  3 , thereby preventing the sail  3  from slipping along the line. 
     The aerodynamic resistance generated by the sail  3  may be modified by forming an aperture in a large surface of the sail. Examples of embodiments having a sail  3  with an aperture  13  are shown in  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12 . In  FIG. 11 , an aperture  13  has the shape of a long slot. In  FIG. 12 , a plurality of apertures  13  each have the shape of a semicircular arc. Alternatively, a plurality of apertures having other shapes and sizes are formed in the sail  3 . A size, shape, and number of apertures are selected to provide a preferred amount of aerodynamic resistance for a preferred size and weight of ball. 
     In the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , the aerodynamic resistance of the sail  3  is adjustable to accommodate a variety of balls having different sizes and weights. In  FIG. 11 , the aperture  13  is opened or closed by at least one adjustable closure  14 . The adjustable closure  14  is attached to a surface of the sail and connects from a side of the aperture  13  to one or more closure fasteners  15  on an opposite side of the aperture  13 , thereby permitting the aperture  13  to optionally be open, partially closed, or closed. Examples of closure fasteners  15  include, but are not limited to, snaps, ties, buttons, zippers, and hook-and-loop fasteners. In  FIG. 4A  the aerodynamic resistance of the invention is adjustable to accommodate a variety of preferred speeds of travel and trajectories of the strikeable object  7  after being struck or thrown. In  FIG. 4A  the adjustable sail restraint  20  is slid along the suspension line  1  to reposition sail  3 . 
     The present disclosure is to be taken as illustrative rather than as limiting the scope, nature, or spirit of the subject matter claimed below. Numerous modifications and variations will become apparent to those skilled in the art after studying the disclosure, including use of equivalent functional and/or structural substitutes for elements described herein, use of equivalent functional couplings for couplings described herein, or use of equivalent functional steps for steps described herein. Such insubstantial variations are to be considered within the scope of what is contemplated here. Moreover, if plural examples are given for specific means, or steps, and extrapolation between or beyond such given examples is obvious in view of the present disclosure, then the disclosure is to be deemed as effectively disclosing and thus covering at least such extrapolations. 
     Unless expressly stated otherwise herein, ordinary terms have their corresponding ordinary meanings within the respective contexts of their presentations, and ordinary terms of art have their corresponding regular meanings.