Abstract:
A device is disclosed to improve the accuracy of a sport participant in the kicking or handling of a ball. A first version includes a ball attached by a tether to a vertical pole. The pole and tether limit the ball&#39;s freedom and allows the ball to rotate about the pole and return to a trainee after being struck by the trainee. A second version provides a frame mounted on the pole whereby the tether is attached to a top section of the pole. A third version includes a frame that rotates about the pole and may accept a plurality of tether attachments. Another version includes a single or double loop attached to the ball through which the tether extends. Yet another version includes a harness that encircles a ball. The ball may be a soccer ball, a baseball, a volleyball, an American football, a medicine ball or a basketball.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to sports training. The present invention more particularly relates to training methods and equipment employed to develop skills related to the control of the placement and movement of a ball. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The professional and amateur sports industries in the United States alone generate multibillion dollars of revenues per annum. The financial position of a particular sports team or an athlete is usually closely determined by the success of the team or individual in sports competitions. The introduction, therefore, of new techniques and equipment that increase an individual athlete&#39;s or a team&#39;s competitive performance can therefore be of great value to numerous firms and sports participants. 
         [0003]    Soccer, for example, is a sport that has overwhelming global appeal which transcends national, cultural, religious, and gender boundaries, as well as socioeconomic class. Soccer&#39;s appeal continues to grow with an ever-expanding audience through out the world in both industrialized and developing countries. 
         [0004]    Estimates suggest that there are over 240 million registered soccer players worldwide with fan participation in the billions. The Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), serves as the international governing body of soccer. FIFA is composed of both men&#39;s and women&#39;s clubs from around the globe, which are organized and compete within a worldwide soccer league. Founded in 1904 in Paris France, FIFA is currently made up of 205 member associations with over 300,000 clubs and 240 million players from around the world. 
         [0005]    The international economic value of improved training methods and equipment for soccer players alone is quite significant. 
         [0006]    The principal objective of the present invention is to provide a method and equipment that may be applied to sponsor the development of skills beneficial for athletic performance in ball based sports. This and other objectives of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in this field from the following description of examples and aspects of the invention. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Towards this object and other objects that will be made obvious in light of this disclosure, a first example of the present invention includes a vertical pole with at least one adjustable attachment rotatably connected to a vertical pole which additionally contains at least one tether to which at least one ball attachment is coupled. The first example (hereafter “first apparatus”) may be coupled with a base weight for stability. The adjustable tether attachment is coupled to the vertical pole by means of a bearing or a tether loop. 
         [0008]    Certain alternate examples of the present invention comprise one or more of the aspects of (1.) a vertical pole of variable height; (2.) a tethered attachment with a variable number of tethers and at least one rotational axis; (3.) a ball attachment each coupled to a tether; (4.) an outside fixture attachment coupled to a tether; and (5.) a ball attachment coupled to a tether, opposite a tether-tether attachment. 
         [0009]    Certain still alternate examples of the present invention comprise a harness, fabric, and/or flexible strips that attaches to a ball and enables the ball to be rotatably coupled with a at least temporarily stable object, such as a pole driven into the ground or secured by a base plate. Certain yet alternate examples of the present invention comprise one or more strips of material attached to an exterior of a round ball, whereby a line rotatably attached to a pole or an attachment point, whereby the ball may struck by a trainee at a first location relative to the ground, and the ball will then rotate about the pole or attachment point and return to the first location. 
       INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
       [0010]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,823,895, 6,352,484, 6,475,108, 6,716,119, D506233, D563495, 6,220,974, 5,435,572 and 5,280,922 are incorporated herein by reference and for all purposes. In addition, each and all publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent, in their entirety and for all purposes, as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    These, and further features of the invention, may be better understood with reference to the accompanying specification and drawings depicting the example, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a first example of the present invention designed in accordance with the method of the present invention (hereafter, “first apparatus”) as attached to the ground; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a second alternate example of the present invention (hereafter, “second apparatus”) compromising a base plate; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a view third alternate example of the present invention (hereafter, “third apparatus”) compromising a more complex adjustable tether apparatus; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a straight on side view of the third apparatus of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a fourth alternate example of the present invention (hereafter, “fourth example”) that includes an adjustable tether attachment that can optionally attach to an exterior fixture; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a side view of a fifth alternate example of the present invention (hereafter, “fifth apparatus”) that includes an adjustable, circular, tether attachment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a view of a sixth alternate example of the present invention that includes multiple ball based tether attachments for optional use of different ball types. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a side view of a first example of a ball attachment device including one sown-on loop attachment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a side view of a second example of a ball attachment device using a sewn-on, double loop attachment; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the second example of the sports training apparatus with a simple tether loop to fasten to the vertical pole; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a view of a third example of a ball attachment device using a harness to attach to a separately obtained ball; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a view the harness of  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    In describing aspects of the invention, certain terminology will be utilized for the sake of clarity. Such terminology is intended to encompass the recited example, as well as all technical equivalents, which operate in a similar manner for a similar purpose to achieve a similar result. 
         [0025]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 1  is a side view of the first apparatus  2  as attached to the ground  6 . The first apparatus  2  comprises a stable vertical pole  4  with a height ranging from three inches to twelve feet that can be optionally imbedded into the ground  6  or stabilized by other means known within the art, a tether  8  which has freedom of movement about the vertical pole, and a ball attachment  10  which would be adaptable to different methods of connection. The tether  8  of the first apparatus is free to move about the vertical axis V of the vertical pole  4  and may move freely up and down this axis. The tether  8  can optionally be configured to a chosen specified rigidity and would have a length of between three inches and twelve feet. The ball  10  may be struck by a trainee to cause the ball to rotate around the pole  4  and return to the position at which the ball  10  was struck by the trainee. 
         [0026]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 2  is a side view of a second example  12  of the present invention compromising an adjustable tether  8 . The vertical pole  4  of  FIG. 1  is implemented in the second example  12  and is shown stabilized by a weighted base plate  14 . The adjustable tether  8  of the second apparatus  12  is allowed to rotate freely about the vertical axis V by means of a bearing mechanism  16 , and is then vertically constricted to a user chosen height by at least one locking bracket mechanism  18 . The tether attachment  8  can optionally be configured to a chosen specified rigidity and may optionally have a length of between three inches and twelve feet. The tether  8  includes a base attachment feature  8 A that detachably couples the tether  8  to the bearing mechanism  16 , and a ball attachment feature  8 B that couples the tether  8  to a ball loop  10 A of the ball  10 . The ball loop  10 A may comprise fabric, cloth or fabric and presents an aperture  10 B through which the tether  8  extends. 
         [0027]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly  FIGS. 3 and 4 ,  FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a third alternate example  20  of the present invention (hereafter, “third apparatus”) compromising a more complex adjustable tethers  8 .  FIG. 4  is a straight on side view of the third apparatus  20  of  FIG. 3 . The third apparatus  20  is comprised of a vertical pole  4  with a height ranging from three inches to twelve feet in height pictured stabilized by a weighted base  14 , and a rotatable frame  22  coupled to a variable number of balls  10 . The frame  22  of the third apparatus  20  may freely rotate around the vertical axis V by means of a bearing mechanism  16 , and then is vertically constricted to a user chosen height by at least one locking bracket mechanism  18 . Additionally the frame  22  of the third apparatus  20  includes one or more horizontal shafts  24  that extend outwards from the vertical pole. At the end of each horizontal shaft(s)  24  a tether  8  can optionally be attached and configured to a chosen specified length \between three inches and twelve feet extends from a bearing joint  16  of the coupled horizontal shaft  24 . The bearing joint  16  allows the tether  8  free movement about the axis of the coupled horizontal shaft  24 , but is at a fixed location at the end the coupled shaft  24  that limits horizontal motion of the base attachment feature  8 A relative to the pole  4 . Each attached ball  10  is coupled to a ball attachment feature  8 B of one and only one tether  8 . 
         [0028]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 5 ,  FIG. 5  is a side view of a fourth alternate of an alternate example of the present invention  26  (hereafter, “fourth example”) that includes an extending line tether  27  that can optionally attach to an exterior fixture (not shown). The fourth apparatus  26  makes includes the vertical pole  4  preferably establishing a distance (i.e., “height”) between three inches to twelve feet extending between the base plate  14  and frame  22 . This pole  4  is stabilized by the weighted base plate  14  or by any other known stabilization methods known in the art. Affixed to the vertical pole  4  is an outstretched line attachment arm  28 . This attachment arm  28  is constricted to a user chosen height and angle by use of at least one locking bracket mechanism  18 . The attachment arm  28  includes at least one horizontal shaft  24  outstretched from the locking bracket(s)  18  to which one end of the line  27  is affixed. On the opposing end of the  27  is an exterior fixture line attachment  27 A that may be affixed or tied to an external stable structure (not shown), such as a wall or a bracket. The line  27  can optionally be configured to a chosen specified rigidity and may have a length of between three inches and fifty feet. Coupled to the length of the line  27 , a tether  8  may hang freely able to travel along the line  27  congruently. This hanging tether  8  would then have a variable ball attachment  10  affixed to the opposite end. 
         [0029]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 6 ,  FIG. 6  is a side view of a fifth alternate example  30  of the present invention (hereafter, “fifth apparatus”) that includes an adjustable, circular, tether attachment  32 . The fifth apparatus  30  is comprised of a vertical pole  4  with a height ranging from six inches to twelve feet in height and is stabilized by a weighted base  14 , and an adjustable, circular, tether attachment  32  with a number of user selectable settings. The circular attachment  32  of the fifth  30  apparatus may freely rotate around the vertical axis V of the pole  4  by means of a bearing mechanism  16 , and then is vertically constricted to a user chosen height displacement between the base plate  14  and the frame  24  by at least one locking bracket mechanism  18 . The movement along the vertical axis V can also be restricted by means of a locking bracket mechanism  18 A coupled with the bearing mechanism  16 A. Additionally a tether  8  extends from the center of the attachment ring  32  that is free to rotate about the central axis by means of a bearing  16  and is affixed just above the ring  32 . On the opposing end of the tether  8  a variable ball attachment  10  may be affixed. The tether  8  is draped over the ring attachment  32  and movement of the tether  8  is thus restricted to be a minimum distance from the vertical pole  4  by the radius of the circle  32 . 
         [0030]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 7  is a view of a sixth alternate example of the present invention that includes multiple ball based tether attachments  10  for optional use of different ball types. Various alternate examples of the present invention may be adapted to training for multiple sports and can use interchangeable ball attachments  10 . They commonly could be swapped for but would not be limited to; (1.) a soccer ball  10 A; (2.) a volleyball  10 B; (3.) a baseball  10 C; (4.) an American football  10 D; (5.) a basketball  10 E; and (6.) a medicine ball  10 F. 
         [0031]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 8 ,  FIG. 8  is a side view of a first example of a pre attached loop  36  of a ball  10  using a single length of material  39 . In this first loop  36  the material  39  may be glued, or sewn on to the ball&#39;s external surface, and/or affixed to the ball  10  by other suitable means known in the art. The first loop  38  is used to fasten the variable length of the tether  8  to the ball  10 . 
         [0032]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 9 ,  FIG. 9  is a side view of a second loop  40  (or “double loop”  40 ) includes a double loop of the material  39 . In this second loop  40  the material  39  is glued, or sewn on to the ball, and/or affixed to a ball  10  by other suitable means known in the art. This double loop  40  is used to fasten the variable length of tether  8  to the ball  10  and can provide additional stability from the single loop  38 . 
         [0033]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIG. 10 ,  FIG. 10  is a side view of the second example  12  of the sports training apparatus with a simple tether loop  34  used to fasten to the vertical pole  4 . The tether loop  34  allows for a possibility to attach the length of tether  8  to one of the trainee&#39;s limbs, i.e., a leg or an arm. The tether loop  34  can be composed of any suitable material known in the art. 
         [0034]    Referring now generally to the Figures and particularly to  FIGS. 11 and 12 ,  FIG. 11  is a view of a third example of a ball attachment  42  using a harness  44  configured to attach to a separately obtained ball  10 ; while  FIG. 12  is a view of a third example of a ball attachment  42  using a harness  44  to attach a ball. In this third example  42 , one end of the length of tether  8  will be fastened to a harness  44  which can optionally employ a swivel bracket  46  that allows the ball  10  to spin freely without twisting the length of tether  8 . The harness  44  secures a separately obtained ball  10  that would not need a pre fixed loop  38  or double loop  38 A, to attach to the length of tether  8 . The harness  44  can optionally be made of the same material as the length of tether  8 . The harness  44  could optionally be composed with or of a single sided adhesive material to provide a sturdier bond to the ball  10 . 
         [0035]    The foregoing disclosures and statements are illustrative only of the Present Invention, and are not intended to limit or define the scope of the Present Invention. The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Although the examples given include many specificities, they are intended as illustrative of only certain possible examples of the Present Invention. The examples given should only be interpreted as illustrations of some of the examples of the Present Invention, and the full scope of the Present Invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various adaptations and modifications of the just-described examples can be configured without departing from the scope and spirit of the Present Invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the Present Invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. The scope of the present invention as disclosed and claimed should, therefore, be determined with reference to the knowledge of one skilled in the art and in light of the disclosures presented above.