Soccer practice apparatus

A soccer practice apparatus to assist a user in practicing the ability to power kick, ball control, mid-volley and/or head a soccer ball. The apparatus can be formed from an arm assembly comprised of a primary arm member angled with a smooth bend to a substantially vertical portion at the end. The arm assembly is connected to a substantially vertical support member. A tether cord extends through and along a length of the primary arm member and is attached to a soccer ball. The tether cord is adjustable and permits the height of the ball to be adjusted for ground ball positions, mid volleys, and heading. The apparatus further permits a ball to be hit in any direction from any adjusted position above ground without creating ball contact with the upright support member.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the field of sporting goods and, more specifically, to a practice apparatus by which users of all ages can, among other activities, develop and improve their ability to power kick, ball control, mid-volley, or head a soccer ball.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Soccer is a game played on a field between two teams of eleven players each, with the object being to propel a round ball into the opponent's goal by kicking or by hitting it with any part of the body except the hands and arms. Soccer practice typically consists of a coach and teammates engaging in warm-ups, skill drills, speed-endurance drills, game situations and repetitive drills with each other. Players can benefit from repeated ball contacts where eye-ball-body coordination in a limited space and time result in improved play. To this end, the number of continuous repetitions with a ball usually depends on the skill of the other players or coach, whereby the better players typically get much more ball contact than less skilled players. Of course, in many situations a team coach and other teammates are not always available for practice situations and, as such, there is a need for a soccer practice apparatus that can enable one to practice the game by oneself, whereby the player can repetitively practice kicking the ball or otherwise causing the ball to move, such as hitting it with his head or other body parts.

Several previous attempts have been made to provide a soccer practice apparatus that can assist a player in training for the game of soccer. However, none of these conventional apparatus have been effective in providing a single apparatus that can enable one or more users to repetitively practice virtually any desired ball striking position, including full power ground kicks, mid-volleys, and headers, while minimizing elapsed time between repetitions by, for example, removing the potential for the ball to travel great distances requiring laborious and time consuming retrieval efforts and/or by removing the potential for the ball to become tangled or otherwise obstructed by other users and/or the apparatus itself. Accordingly, the present invention is designed, in part, to meet the above described needs and to overcome additional drawbacks of conventional soccer training apparatuses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Among other aspects that will be described below, the present invention provides a soccer practice apparatus by which users of all ages can, among other activities, develop and improve their ability to power kick, ball control, mid-volley, or head a soccer ball.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a soccer practice apparatus comprised of an arm member connected to and extending outwardly from a substantially upright support member supportable at ground level. A tether cord extends from a tip portion of the arm member and is connected to a ball, such as a soccer ball, by a ball attachment assembly. The length of tether cord extending from the tip portion of the arm member can be increased or decreased to vary the position of the ball relative to the ground to thereby bring it into position to be either kicked with the foot or struck by another part of the body, such as the leg, the chest or the head. The tip portion of the arm member is sufficiently spaced apart from the upright support member to assure that the upright support member is well away from the ball, thereby removing the possibility of the ball accidentally hitting or otherwise becoming obstructed by the upright support member when a user is kicking or striking the ball.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a soccer practice apparatus kit, comprising an arm assembly which can be connected to an upright support member supportable at ground. The arm assembly comprises a primary arm member connected to a mount subassembly and extends outwardly from the mount subassembly at an angle that is less than or equal to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the mount subassembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description, drawings, and claims, and their previous and following description. However, before the present devices and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific articles, devices, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention as claimed.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to an “arm assembly” includes aspects having two or more such arm assemblies unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

As briefly stated above, the present invention relates generally to the field of sporting goods and, more specifically to a soccer practice apparatus that can enable athletes of all ages to, among other activities, practice, develop, and/or improve their ability to power kick, ball control, mid-volley, or head a soccer ball. In general concept, the present invention provides an arm member connected to and extending outwardly from a substantially upright support member supportable at ground level. A distal end of a tether cord extends from a tip portion of the arm member and is connected to a ball such as a soccer ball. The length of tether cord extending from the tip portion of the arm member can be increased or decreased to vary the position of the ball relative to the ground to thereby bring it into position to be either kicked with the foot or hit by another part of the body, such as the leg, the chest or the head. The tip portion of the arm member is sufficiently spaced apart from the upright support member to assure that the upright support member is well away from the ball, thereby removing the possibility of the user accidentally kicking or hitting the upright support member while kicking or hitting the ball.

With specific reference to the appended figures, several aspects of the present invention are illustrated.FIG. 1shows an exemplary soccer practice apparatus10. The soccer practice apparatus10comprises an upright member12having a longitudinal axis and a lower portion12(a) supportable at ground level50and a top portion12(b) extending substantially vertically and upwardly from the base portion. An arm assembly20, comprising a mount subassembly22, is connected to the upright member at a predetermined position above the lower portion of the upright support member. The arm assembly20further comprises a primary arm member24connected to the mount subassembly22and comprising a base portion24(a) extending outwardly from the mount subassembly at an angle23that is less than or equal to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the upright support member12. To that end, in those aspects where the angle23is less than 90°, the base portion24(a) will extend outwardly and downwardly away from the upright support member12. A tip portion24(b) extends outwardly and downwardly from the distal end of the base portion such that an open tip end25extends toward ground level50. A tether cord30having a distal end connected to a soccer ball extends from the open tip end25of the primary arm member. The distance between the open tip end25and the upright member12is greater than the distance between the open tip end and the ground level, thus eliminating the possibility of the user accidentally kicking or hitting the upright support member while kicking or hitting a suspended ball.

As further illustrated inFIG. 1, the upright support member12can in one aspect be a fixed support pole supportable at ground level by any conventional means for supporting a support pole or similar structure at ground level. For example, in one aspect, the support pole can be a galvanized tubular steel pole. An exemplary pole can have a 2.25 inch diameter and can be inserted into an approximately 40 inch deep by approximately 10 to 14 inch diameter hole, depending on soil conditions, (using a post hole digger or similar device) in the ground using concrete to fill the hole evenly on the bottom and sides to just below grass or surrounding ground height. The support pole can further be threaded on one or both ends so that a galvanized threaded top cap can be applied to the top of the support pole to prevent rain water from entering and promoting rust from forming on the pole from the inside.

In another aspect, the upright support member12can be portable and/or removably fixed at ground level, thus having a movable lower portion or base portion12(a) comprised of a sufficiently heavy material, such as iron or a pinned steel tube, in order to give it sufficient strength to remain level when forces are indirectly imparted upon it during normal usage of the soccer practice apparatus. For example, in one aspect, an upright support member may be a steel tube sized and shaped to be inserted into another steel tube embedded in concrete. According to this aspect, when the apparatus is not in use, the upright support member can be removed from the steel tube embedded in concrete. Alternatively, the movable base portion can be hollow and filled with a filler material, such as sand or water, in order to give it sufficient weight. In still another aspect, a movable base portion can comprise one or more openings which extend substantially vertically through the base portion and through which dowels or pegs can be inserted that can be extended into the ground in order to temporarily retain the base at a desired fixed location. An exemplary and non limiting portable base portion suitable for use in connection with the present invention is disclosed and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,576,379, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

In addition to the exemplified vertical support members described above, it should be understood that the support member12can be any substantially vertical support means capable of supporting an arm assembly of the present invention. For example, a suitable vertical support can also include, without limitation, a steel pole, concrete pole, telephone pole, concrete wall, brick wall, or even a corner of an existing structure or building.

FIGS. 2 and 3illustrate an exemplary arm assembly20according to one aspect of the present invention. As shown, the arm assembly20can comprise a primary arm member24having a base portion24(a) and a tip portion24(b). The primary arm member can be hollow such that it defines a primary arm member conduit26suitable for the passage of at least a portion of a tether cord30. The base portion24(a) can be connected to a mount subassembly22, comprised of an elongated mount subassembly base member22(a) and having a mount subassembly longitudinal axis. The base portion24(a) extends outwardly from the mount subassembly22at an angle23that is less than or equal to 90° relative to the longitudinal axis of the mount subassembly base member. In those aspects where the angle23is less than 90° the base portion24(a) will extend outwardly and downwardly away from the mount subassembly22. In one aspect, the base portion24(a) can extend outwardly and downwardly from the mount subassembly22at an angle23in the range of from approximately 45° to approximately 90°, including additional angles of 50°, 55°, 60°, 65°, 70°, 75°, 80°, and 85°.

The tip portion24(b) can further extend outwardly and downwardly from the base portion24(a) such that an open tip end25extends toward the ground level50. In one aspect, the open tip end25can extend toward the ground level in a plane that is at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mount subassembly. In another aspect, the open tip end25can extend toward ground level such that the area defined by the open tip end25is in a plane that is at least substantially parallel to the ground level. Alternatively, in still another aspect, the open tip end25can extend toward ground level such that the area defined by the open tip end25is in a plane that is at least substantially parallel to the base portion24(a) of the primary arm member. In still another aspect, the open tip end25can extend such that the area defined by the open tip end25is itself in a plane that intersects the plane containing the longitudinal axis of the mount subassembly.

In one aspect, the tip portion24(b) of the primary arm member is comprised of a single portion which can extend arcuately outwardly and downwardly from the distal end of the base portion24(a). Alternatively, in another aspect, the tip portion24(b) can further comprises a plurality of sub tip portions wherein each sub tip portion extends downwardly away from the previous sub portion. For example, in one aspect and as shown inFIG. 3, a primary arm member tip portion24(b) can comprise a first tip portion24(c) and second tip portion24(d), wherein the first tip portion extends outwardly and downwardly from the distal end of the base portion24(a) and wherein the second tip portion extends downwardly from the distal end of the first tip portion24(c).

In still another aspect, it should be understood and appreciated that the primary arm member24, including both the base and tip portions, can extend arcuately outwardly and downwardly from the mount subassembly22. According to this aspect, the open tip end25can extend toward the ground level in a plane that is at least substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the mount subassembly or, alternatively, can extend such that the area defined by the open tip end25is itself in a plane that intersects the plane containing the longitudinal axis of the mount subassembly.

The primary arm member24is connected to the mount subassembly elongated base member22(a) by any conventional means for forming a sufficiently strong connection to withstand the forces of stress exerted upon the apparatus during normal usage. For example, in one aspect, the primary arm member24can be welded to the mount subassembly elongated base member22(a). To this end, in one aspect, the mount subassembly base member22(a) can be comprised of an elongated galvanized steel base member. Further, the elongated base member can be in the form of a conventional C-channel or U-channel, sized and shaped to form a compatible connection with the exterior dimension of the upright member12. For example, when configured for use with the exemplary galvanized steel support pole described above, the subassembly base member can be galvanized steel C-channel or U-channel approximately 12 inches in length, approximately 2.25 inches wide and forming a trough approximately 1.75 inches deep.

In still another aspect, it will be appreciated that the use of an appropriately sized and shaped C-channel or U-channel as the sub assembly mount base member can also provide a trough22(b) that is adapted for passage of at least a portion of the tether cord30. Accordingly, in one aspect, and as will be discussed in more detail below, the elongated mount subassembly base member can define a bore in communication with a proximal end of a hollow primary member24connected thereto. Whereby, when the elongated mount subassembly base member is connected to the upright member, a mount subassembly conduit22(c) for the passage of the tether cord30is defined that is in communication with the primary arm member conduit26.

If desired, the arm assembly20can further comprise a secondary arm member28having a first end connected to the elongated mount subassembly base member22(a) and a second end connected to the base portion24(a) of the primary arm member. To that end, it will be appreciated that the optional secondary arm member28can help to distribute the bending stresses that may be exerted upon the arm assembly during normal usage. Furthermore, depending upon the particular configuration, it should also be understood that specific location of the connection between the secondary arm member and the mount subassembly and/or the base portion24(a) can vary.

The mount subassembly22can connected to the upright support member at a predetermined position such that the open tip end25of the primary arm member is above ground level. To that end, the open tip end can be any desired height above ground level, such as, for example, a height in the range of from 5 to 12 feet above ground level, including exemplary heights of 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 feet.

Further, the mount subassembly22can be connected to the upright support member by any conventional means capable of withstanding the stress and forces that may be exerted during normal usage of the soccer practice apparatus. In one aspect, the mount subassembly can be connected to the upright support member by any conventional means for forming a substantially rigid connection. For example, in one aspect, the mount subassembly can be bolted to the upright support member using conventional U-bolts. Alternatively, the mount subassembly can be bolted to the substantially upright support through bolt holes defined by and passing through the upright support member itself. In another aspect, the mount subassembly can be connected to the upright support member by one or more conventional metal band clamps. In still another aspect, the mount subassembly can be resiliently connected to the upright member by any conventional means for forming a resilient connection. For example, in one aspect, a means for forming a resilient connection can comprise one or more galvanized or stainless steel compression springs21. The formation of a resilient connection, such as by the use of one or more compression springs, can give added compliance to the arm assembly in order to compensate for excess stresses and forces that may be placed upon the apparatus during inappropriate usage in order to help prevent against failure. The compression springs can be used in connection with a conventional bolt and nut to provide the resilient connection. If further desired, the nut can be equipped with a nylon lock insert, which, as one of skill in the art will appreciate, can also prevent the nut from vibrating loose during use.

As briefly mentioned above, the soccer practice apparatus of the present invention further comprises a tether cord30extending from the open tip end25of the primary arm member24and has a distal end connected to a soccer ball attachment assembly40. The tether cord30can be constructed of any conventional tether cord materials such as, for example, a nylon cord.

In one aspect, the soccer practice apparatus can further comprise any conventional means for attaching and/or guiding the tether cord from the tether cord attachment assembly to the open tip end25. Thus, in one aspect, a means for guiding the tether cord can be a guide system comprising one or more components which can reduce the coefficient of friction at a point of contact between the tether cord and the apparatus. For example, a tether cord guide system can comprise a system of one or more pulleys, one or more eyelets sized and shaped for the passage of the tether cord there through, or a combination thereof.

Furthermore, in another aspect, and as depicted inFIGS. 2 and 3, the primary arm member24can be hollow thereby defining a primary arm member conduit26adapted for the passage of at least a portion of the tether cord30. Accordingly, at least a portion of the tether cord30can be threaded through the open tip end25of the primary arm member, through at least a portion of the primary arm member, and through at least a portion of the mount subassembly conduit22(c). The proximal end of the tether cord30is threaded through the open tip end of the primary arm member and through at least a portion of the primary arm member conduit and mount subassembly base member conduit is connected to a tether cord attachment assembly60, such as that shown inFIG. 4and further discussed below.

If desired, one or more nylon inserts and/or a flexible hollow plastic tubing29, such as polypropylene tubing, can also be provided as sheathing for at least a portion of the tether cord30. The plastic tubing can act as a non-abrasive protection for the tether cord. In one aspect, the use of the flexible plastic tubing as a sheathing can help to prevent chaffing of the tether cord30during use and height adjustment. In a further aspect, the end of the flexible poly tube sheathing can be recessed in from the open tip end of the primary arm member, as illustrated inFIG. 3. This recess can allow the ball32to be pulled to a highest level without features of the soccer ball attachment assembly, such as a ball bearing swivel, getting caught or bound to the tip portion of the primary arm member or the flexible plastic sheathing. In one aspect, and depending on the dimensions of the particular soccer ball attachment assembly the distal end of the hollow plastic tube sheathing is recessed from the open tip end25a distance in the range of from approximately 10 to 20 inches, including distance of 12, 14, 16, and 18 inches. For example, the recess distance can, in one aspect, depend on the distance between a ball32and a swivel42as illustrated inFIG. 5.

In order to further prevent chafing and possible failure of a tether cord30that has been threaded through the open tip end25of the primary arm member, the open tip end25can also be sized and shaped such that it has a substantially smooth radiused circumferential edge. In one aspect, the hollow tip portion of the primary arm member can be flared or rounded at the open tip end. Alternatively, and as shown inFIG. 3, a galvanized or stainless steel toroid ring25(a) can be welded to the open tip end of the primary arm member. To that end, the toroid ring25(a) can, for example, be welded using a plurality of spot welds. Alternatively, a nylon rocket nozzle insert could be used to provide an open tip end25having a substantially smooth radiused circumferential edge.

FIG. 4shows an exemplary tether cord attachment assembly60connected to an upright support member12. The exemplified assembly60is constructed to provide a quick release ball height adjustment mechanism. The assembly is connected to the upright support member12at a predetermined position above the ground level so as to make it easy for any user of any height to make height adjustments to the suspended soccer ball. As shown, the assembly60can be fastened to the support member12with, for example, two stainless steel or brass screws62, in order to prevent rusting of the screws and subsequent failure of the attachment assembly. As shown, the tethered cord can pass through an opening defined by the top portion of the assembly. Any means for obstructing the passage of the tether cord through the opening, such as a steel ring [not shown] or one or more knots34can be tied on the end of the tether cord. The tether cord30can then be locked in place when it is pulled up into the “V” or wedge64formed in the assembly60and can be unlocked when pulled down. By the altering the location of the knot34relative to the end of the tether cord30, a user can adjust the desired height or ground position of the soccer ball suspended at the opposite end of the tether cord30.

FIG. 5illustrates an exemplary soccer ball attachment assembly40according to the present invention. As shown, a suspended distal end of a tether cord30can be attached to an assembly40comprised of a conventional swivel42, such as for example a ball bearing swivel, connected to an attachment cord46, such as an elastic cord, the attachment cord46being connected to a net48, sized and shaped to house a soccer ball. One or more knots44can be used to attach the tether cord to the stainless steel ball bearing swivel42and to attach the attachment cord46to the swivel42. The end of the tether cord, depending on the particular material, can also be seared to prevent unraveling over time. In still another aspect, the use of a swivel is not required in so far as the tether cord can be directed connected to the net. However, it will be appreciated that the use of a swivel can help to prevent undesired twisting and/or tangling of the tether cord during use. The elastic cord can also be attached to itself using a galvanized or stainless steel rope clamp (not shown). The elastic cord46can then be looped through each of the net loops47on one end of the net48. By way of example, an 18 inch length of elastic cord can allow the net loops to open enough for either a number 3, 4 or 5 standard size soccer ball or even a non standard sized soccer ball to be easily and quickly removed and replaced inside of the net. A slide ring49or other similar device can then be slide down into place by the forces of gravity, to prevent the undesired opening of the net and, hence, the ball from coming out of the net during normal use.

In an alternative aspect, the ball attachment assembly40can comprise the direct attachment of a tether cord30to a ball32. For example, a ball32can comprise an eyelet defining an aperture configured for the passage of a tether cord, whereby a tether cord can be connected directly to the ball32.

It should also be understood that an apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned aspects, which have been depicted as having a single arm assembly. More specifically, in another aspect, an apparatus of the present invention can comprise a plurality of arm assemblies uniformly spaced circumferentially about an upright support member. For example, an apparatus according to the present invention can comprise from 2 to 4 arm assemblies. To that end,FIG. 6illustrates a top view of an exemplary apparatus comprising three arm assemblies uniformly spaced circumferentially about the upright member12. As shown, three soccer balls32are tethered to the end of each of the three arm assemblies20. The three circles5represent the maximum ball travel distance from the open tip end of each arm assembly. As illustrated, the distance between the open tip ends and the upright member, as well as the distance between any two open tip ends are sufficiently large enough that the three circles do not intersect with either the center upright support member12, as illustrated by the gap distance6, nor do they intersect with each other, as illustrated by the gap distance7. Furthermore, the outer triangular path8surrounding around all three of the circles represents an exemplary safe walking path similar to standard sidewalks. This path can, for example, be used as a guide in field placement of single apparatus or multiple apparatuses. For example, in use, an outdoor soccer facility practice arrangement could comprise of six support members arranged in a large circle with three pendulum arms on each pole, thus allowing eighteen individual player stations to be used simultaneously. As one of skill in the art will appreciate, gap distances6and7will depend on simple geometric relationships between arm assembly length, maximum ball travel distance, and support pole diameter.

In still another aspect, the present invention also provides a soccer practice apparatus kit, comprising one or more arm assemblies20, as described herein. In one aspect, the kit can further comprise an upright support member12, supportable at ground level, as described above. Alternatively, in those situations where the one or more arm assemblies are to be connected to an upright support member such as an existing pole, wall or similar structure, the kit may not comprise a support member12. Furthermore, a kit according to the present invention can also comprise one or more additional soccer practice apparatus components, including without limitation, a tether cord30, a soccer ball32, a soccer ball attachment assembly40, a tether cord attachment assembly60, hardware for assembly of the various kit components, and literature, including for example, instructions on how to assembly and/or use a soccer practice apparatus of the instant invention. In still another aspect, according to the present invention can further comprise packaging material for housing the various aforementioned kit components.

As one of skill in the art will appreciate, the soccer practice apparatus of the present invention enables a user to repetitively practice virtually all kicking positions including full power ground kicks, mid-volleys and headers. Furthermore, the configuration of the arm assembly and the distance between the open tip end and the upright support member permits a ball to be hit in any direction from any adjusted position above ground or even on the ground over geometrically limited ground positions, without ball contact with the support member. To this end, the only ball-apparatus contact that can occur is with the arm assembly itself. However, due to the outwardly and downwardly extending base and tip portions of the arm assembly, result the ball and/or tether cord sliding downwardly and off of the arm assembly without becoming tangled. It should also be understood and appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention, while being described specifically for use as a soccer practice apparatus, can also be used as a practice apparatus for other sports including, without limitation, tennis, baseball, volleyball and the like.

While this invention has been described in connection with specific aspects, features and embodiments, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular aspects, features and embodiments set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and that will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon practicing same.