SPORT TRAINING APPARATUS

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus having a ball (1) attached to a fixing or anchoring means (3) by an elasticated cord (2).

Description: Sport Training Apparatus This invention relates to sport training apparatus which finds a particular application in ball sports. In the past it has been known to provide a bat and ball game wherein a tennis ball or the like has been attached to an elastic cord, the elastic being attached at an opposite end to the bat. It has also been known to attach a ball on a string, the string being attached to a pole or the like, whereby hitting the ball allows the ball to be controllably rotated around the pole. This latter device, although popular, has been associated with disadvantages in that the string may only be rotated around the pole a small and limited number of times before the string becomes tangled and the device unusable. Thus, when a player allows the ball to rotate in the same circular direction more than a few times, either by hitting it in that direction or attempting to hit it in an opposite direction and missing the ball, the elastic or string would wind around the pole to an undesirable extent. In the present invention it is sought to negate the use of a pole but to provide a means whereby a ball may be struck, whether hit, kicked, thrown or otherwise propelled, and yet returned to the player or players. An object of the invention is to obviate or mitigate any tangling of the device or other undesirable features which may lead to playing down time. According to the invention there is provided a sporting article comprising a ball attached to a first end of an elasticated rope or cord and a fixing means attached to a second or opposite end of the elasticated cord, the fixing means being adapted to anchor the second end of the cord while the ball is struck. Preferably, the ball is a football. Alternatively, the ball may be any suitable ball commonly used in sport. Preferably, the ball is attached to the first end of the elasticated rope by a first attachment means, the first attachment means including a leather or plastics disc inserted internally within the ball and preferably between the ball bladder and the outer skin of the ball, and being integral with the first end of the elasticated rope. Alternatively the first attachment means includes a leather pad, one face or surface of which is provided with an adhesive adapted to bond with the surface of the ball, the leather pad being integral with the first end of the elasticated rope. Preferably, the second end of the elasticated rope is attached to the fixing means by a respective second attachment means, the second attachment means comprising a detachable clip adapted to engage with a ring on the fixing means. Preferably, the first and second attachment means include a swivel means to prevent overtwisting of the elasticated rope. The detachable clip may incorporate a means for adjusting the usable length of the elasticated cord. Alternatively other means, may be provided for such adjustment. Preferably the fixing means comprises a screw adapted to engage earth such as soil or clay. The screw preferably comprises a head having a plurality of straight sides (such as an hexagonal or octagonal bolt head), the size of the head corresponding with a tool adapted to rotate the screw into the ground. Preferably, the tool comprises a female hexagonal key, the size of the hexagon corresponding to fit snugly over the screw head, and also boot studs as may be found on sporting footwear. Alternatively, the elasticated rope comprises detachable linking means such that the rope may be shortened or extended by omitting or adding further ropes being joined at said linking means. Preferably the tool is provided with a handle to assist in rotation thereof. Alternatively, the fixing means includes a suction pad, the suction pad being adapted to provide at least a partial vacuum, in use, within a chamber formed by the pad and a relatively flat surface, such that the fixing means is held to the flat surface, the surface being flooring, or all-weather surface for example. .An example embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figure 1, which shows a schematic diagram of elements of the invention. A sporting article has a football 1 which is fixed by a first attachment means to one end of an elasticated rope 2. The other end of the rope 2 is attached by a second attachment means to a fixing means 3 which in a preferred embodiment is an elongated screw 4. The screw 4 may be made from any suitable material, although plastics may be preferred for safety reasons. At the top of the screw is formed an hexagonal head which, preferably, is made of the same dimensions as a locking nut used for locking studs in place on the sole of a football boot. A tool having a corresponding hexagonal profile may be used for the dual purpose of rotating the screw into the earth and tightening or loosening football studs. At the top of the screw 4 there is provided a ring 5 with which a spring clip 6 held on the elasticated rope 2 may releasably engage. It is realised in the invention that it may be advantageous to allow for extending or shortening the rope. It is envisaged that the rope may be provided in segments, each having hooking or linking means at its ends for linking up further similar rope segments. Alternatively, the clip may be designed to allow for adjustment of the useable length of the rope or cord 2. Where the sporting article is used indoors, the fixing means 3 may take the alternative embodiment of a suction cap 7 which is adapted to be held to a smooth floor by suction, ie a differential air pressure across the cap. At the first end of the rope 2 the ball 1 may be attached in a variety of ways . One method is to form the end of the rope 2 into a pad which may be adhered via a strong adhesive to the ball's surface, such a pad would suitably, although not essentially, be made of leather. However, there could alternatively be a hook or spring clip at both ends of the elasticated rope, one or each being provided with a spring-loaded or revolving mechanism to allow independent rotation of the ball relative to the cord or rope, and/or independent rotation of the rope relative to the fixing means. A yet further embodiment is a detachable fixing means which could be located only at the first or ball end of the rope, the attachment of the rope to the fixing means at the second end thereof being permanent. For operation of the invention the rope must be elastic or stretchable. In a preferred embodiment it is envisaged that the rope might extend to five times its equilibrium or natural length. It is also envisaged in the invention that the ball may be purpose-built for the article and, as such, may be inherent with a revolving mechanism or some form of means to facilitate attachment to the rope. Figure 2 illustrates a manner of use of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, and Figure 3 provides a further schematic diagram showing how the embodiment of Figure 1 can be used in a more complex manner. Thus, the invention provides various ways in improving a players skill with a football or other sporting ball. The main attraction of the invention is that it allows the ball to return to the player during practice. Depending on where the player is positioned, the ball will return with a certain amount of velocity and momentum, thus requiring the player to apply his or her skill in controlling the ball. Having regard to the game of football or soccer, the invention provides a useful tool in training a player to improve the players ability in respect of kicking, trapping, touch control, volleying, throwing, hitting, flicking, spinning, and turning and so on. Further, the invention may enable a player to practise with the use of both feet. The invention may also be used by more than one player and enables a plurality of players to practise passing and enhance their first touch skills. The invention may be also be used in practising penalties and this may be done by more than one player, including a person guarding the goals. That is, goal keeping skills may be enhanced by a goal keeper either practising on his own or in conjunction with other players shooting the ball in the direction of the goal mouth. The invention is also not limited by excluding the use of other accessory equipment, such as markers, targets, hoops and the like. This and other equipment may be used and incorporated into training programs. The invention may also be provided with diagrams showing the various uses which may be made of the apparatus. It should also be noted that the elastic cord used in the invention may be provided at varying lengths. Advantageously, means for varying the length of the card may be incorporated into the device. This may comprise, by way of a further example, a clip which enables folding of part of the cord so as to shorten its links. Alternatively, it may include a device which limits the stretch of the cord at a particular part or portion thereof. A yet further alternative is to provide the peg or fixing means with apparatus for allowing part of the cord to be wound or retracted in a non use position. Further modifications and improvements may be incorporated without departing from the spirit of the invention herein intended.

Claims: Claims 1. A sporting article comprising a ball attached to a first end of an elasticated rope or cord and a fixing means attached to a second or opposite end of the elasticated cord, the fixing means being adapted to anchor the second end of the cord while the ball is struck. 2. As article as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the ball is a football. 3. An article as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the ball is attached to the first end of the elasticated rope by a first attachment means, the first attachment means including a leather or plastics disc inserted internally within the ball and preferably between the ball bladder and the outer skin of the ball, and being integral with the first end of the elasticated rope. 4. An article as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the ball is attached to the first end of the elasticated rope by a first attachment means, wherein the first attachment means includes a leather pad, one face or surface of which is provided with an adhesive adapted to bond with the surface of the ball, the leather pad being integral with the first end of the elasticated rope. 5. An article as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the second end of the elasticated rope is attached to the fixing means by a respective second attachment means, the second attachment means comprising a detachable clip adapted to engage with a ring on the fixing means. 6. An article as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the detachable clip may incorporate a means for adjusting the usable length of the elasticated cord. 7. An article as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the elasticated rope comprises detachable linking means such that the rope may be shortened or extended by omitting or adding further ropes being joined at said linking means. 8. An article as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the first and second attachment means include a swivel means to prevent overtwisting of the elasticated rope. 9. An article as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims, wherein the fixing means comprises a screw adapted to engage earth such as soil or clay. 10. An article as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the screw comprises a head having a plurality of straight sides (such as an hexagonal or octagonal bolt head) , the size of the head corresponding with a tool adapted to rotate the screw into the ground. 11. An article as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the tool comprises a female hexagonal key, the size of the hexagon corresponding to fit snugly over the screw head, and also boot studs as may be found on sporting footwear. 12. An article as claimed in Claim 10 or 11, wherein the tool is provided with a handle to assist in rotation thereof. 13. An article as claimed in any one of the Claims 1 to 8, wherein the fixing means includes a suction pad, the suction pad being adapted to provide at least a partial vacuum, in use, within a chamber formed by the pad and a relatively flat surface, such that the fixing means is held to the flat surface.

Inventors: MCGINN JOHN CHRISTOPHER, MCGINN, JOHN, CHRISTOPHER
Applicants: MCGINN JOHN CHRISTOPHER, MCGINN, JOHN, CHRISTOPHER
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A63B69
IPC codes: A63B43, A63B69, A63B71