Patent Publication Number: US-2003236140-A1

Title: Sports target and training aid

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001] This invention relates generally to practice aids for sports activities and more particularly to a portable target device having a combination of features which will assist an instructor, such as a coach or parent, in evaluating, reviewing and critiquing the skills and techniques of a child, athlete or potential athlete and which will allow the child, athlete or potential athlete to more effectively practice, develop and improve certain desirable skills relative to his or her chosen sport.  
       [0002] In sports activities involving the use of a ball, puck or other moving object, and particularly in the sports of baseball and softball, the skill and proficiency of the player controlling the speed, movement and direction of the ball or other object is of paramount importance. In order to develop the skills, techniques and body mechanics necessary to be successful in these competitive sports, player evaluation and player practice are essential. Moreover, observation and accurate evaluation of a player&#39;s abilities, skill level and body mechanics is crucial for coaches involved in the selection of personnel necessary to form a team.  
       [0003] Many training aids or practice devices have been developed to assist coaches, parents and players in developing or increasing the athletic skills of players involved in sport activities. Existing practice devices, such as those disclosed in applicant&#39;s information disclosure statement submitted herewith, include a shock-resistant mirror suspended from a frame which permits the player to view his or her body movements while projecting a ball toward the mirror; a pyramid-shaped target box having a ball retention area and one or more flaps for receiving and deflecting thrown balls; a suspendable backstop having an aperture and a removable pouch for capturing thrown balls; and a foldable, fabric covered frame having slots or holes therein and/or baskets attached thereto for receiving thrown balls. While these devices would appear to be useful to players as practice aids for increasing proficiency in a chosen sport, their use is limited with regard to feedback, evaluation, instruction and critique of the player&#39;s arm or leg speed, body mechanics, skills and techniques.  
       [0004] The design and construction of the present invention presents a complete training apparatus which incorporates a combination of features that not only allow a player to practice and develop desired skills and to increase proficiency, but also allows coaches, parents, teachers or peers to observe, record, evaluate and critique the player&#39;s arm or leg speed, body mechanics and overall technique for instructional and corrective purposes.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005] In view of the foregoing, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a portable target and backstop apparatus for sports activities, said apparatus having a combination of features to aid the player/athlete in developing or improving desirable skills and to assist coaches or instructors in evaluating, reviewing and critiquing the abilities, strengths, techniques and/or body mechanics of the player/athlete or the potential player/athlete.  
       [0006] According to an embodiment of the invention, a portable sports target and training aid apparatus comprises a wheeled target panel and a backstop means; said target panel comprises a target area and includes a video recording means and a speed detection means mounted to said target panel.  
       [0007] An advantage of the present invention is the provision of a sports target and training aid apparatus which combines the use of a speed detection device and a video recording device to aid in evaluating the skills, techniques and body mechanics of a player/athlete or potential player/athlete.  
       [0008] Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a sports target and training aid apparatus whose combined features present a complete training tool for instructional and practice purposes.  
       [0009] Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a sports target and training aid apparatus which allows a player/athlete or coach to observe and document the speed, accuracy, body mechanics and technique of the player/athlete.  
       [0010] Another advantage of the present invention is the provision of a sports target and training aid apparatus which can be used for a variety of sports activities.  
       [0011] Another advantage of the present invention resides in the ability of the apparatus to detect the speed and accuracy of balls or other moving objects caused to be advanced in the direction of the apparatus and to record the movement of such objects.  
       [0012] A further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a sports target and training aid apparatus which provides a means to record and review the body mechanics and techniques of a player/athlete for critique and instruction in order to assist the player/athlete in developing or improving desired skills.  
       [0013] A further advantage of the present invention resides in the portability and versatility of the apparatus.  
       [0014] A further advantage of the present invention is the provision of a sports target and training aid apparatus which provides instantaneous display of the speed of objects being hurled, kicked or otherwise advanced in the direction of the apparatus.  
       [0015] A final advantage of the present invention resides in the ability of the apparatus to be used just for fun or as a serious training and evaluation tool. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0016] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the various views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.  
     [0017]FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention shown set up for the sport of baseball or softball.  
     [0018]FIG. 2 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.  
     [0019]FIG. 3 is an enlarged frontal view of the target panel member of the embodiment of FIG. 1.  
     [0020]FIG. 4 is an enlarged side view of the target panel member of the embodiment of FIG. 1.  
     [0021]FIG. 5 is a frontal perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown set up for the sport of hockey.  
     [0022]FIG. 6 is a frontal perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown set up for target practice.  
     [0023]FIG. 7 is a frontal perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 shown set up for the sport of tennis. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0024] In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, FIG. 1 shows a sports target and training aid apparatus  10  comprising a target means  100  and a backstop means  200 . As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the target means  100  comprises a panel means  110 , a transport means  120 , a video recording means  130  and a speed detection means  140 . The panel means  110  in this embodiment comprises a rigid panel member  111  and a face panel  112  removeably attached to said panel member  111 . Said panel means  110  also includes a set of spaced apertures  113 ,  114  &amp;  115  of varying dimensions. The face panel  112  in this embodiment is constructed of a sheet of high impact plastic material such as Lexan®. The panel means  110  also features the image of a sports figure  116 , such as a baseball or softball catcher, on the front of said face panel  112 . The panel member  111  in this embodiment is constructed of rigid plywood, however, any other rigid and durable material such as metal or plastic would be acceptable. While the face panel  112  in the preferred embodiment disclosed herewith is constructed of Lexan® material, it will be understood that any lightweight material having high impact strength and good weatherability properties may be used with equal success. In an alternate embodiment (not shown) said panel means  110  may be constructed of a shock absorbing material such as foam rubber or urethane foam. Being that the panel means  110  of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 &amp; 3 is directed to the sport of baseball or softball, an area representing a typical strike zone is also shown on the face panel  112  of said panel means  110  as a square box  117  appropriately superimposed on the image of the sports figure  116  where a strike zone would be in an actual game setting. The first aperture  113  of said panel means  110  is a small circular hole situated in the center of the head of the image of said sports figure  116  and provides an opening through which said video recording means  130  may operate. The positioning of the first aperture  113  on said panel means  110  is not critical to the operation and function of the panel means  110  and said first aperture  113  may, therefore, be placed virtually anywhere on said panel means  110  with equal success. The second aperture  114  of said panel means  110  is a rectangular shaped hole situated near the bottom of said panel means  110  and provides an opening through which said speed detection means  140  may operate. As with the first aperature  113 , the positioning of the second aperature  114  on said panel means  110  is not critical to the operation and function of the panel means  110  and said second aperature  114  may, therefore, be placed virtually anywhere on said panel means  110  with equal success. However, due to the relative size of the second aperature  114 , it would be advantageous to place the second aperature  114  in an out-of-the-way place, such as near the perimeter of said panel means  110 , in order to prevent distraction during use. The third aperture  115  is a large circular hole situated in the center of the image of said sports figure  116  and within the square box  117  representing a typical strike zone. In the present embodiment, the third aperture  115  is the target through which a player/athlete would attempt to throw the baseball or softball during training or practice exercises.  
     [0025] Referring now to FIG. 4, the transport means  120  provides structural support for, and portability of, the of target means  100 . Said transport means  120  of the present embodiment is a modified “hand truck” comprising a frame  121 , a pair of wheels  122  situated near the bottom, and to either side, of said frame  121 , a support or load tongue  123  extending laterally from the bottom of said frame  121 , a handle portion  124  situated at the top of said frame  121  and a lock mechanism  125  to prevent movement of the frame  121  relative to its wheels  122 . Said lock mechanism  125  prevents or retards movement of the frame  121  during practice or training sessions wherein balls or other objects may be striking the panel means  110  at varying (and hopefully high) speeds. Additional support in the form of legs or braces (not shown) may be attached to said transport means  120  as necessary for added stability during use. The backside of said panel means  110  of said target means  100  is securely attached to the frame  121  of said transport means  120  and rests against said frame  121  with the bottom edge of said panel means  110  being supported by said support tongue  123 .  
     [0026] As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 4, the video recording means  130  of said target means  100  is attached to the frame  121  of said transport means  120  via a mounting platform  131  and is positioned on said frame  121  so that the lens of said video recording means  130  is in direct alignment with the first aperture  113  of said panel means  110 . Said video recording means  130  may comprise any state of the art video camera but a lightweight model is preferable for obvious reasons. The speed detection means  140  of said target means  100  is also attached to the frame  121  of said transport means  120  via a mounting platform  141 . Said speed detection means  140  may comprise any state of the art speed detection device, such as a “radio detecting and ranging” (radar) gun, having an instantaneous speed display panel  142 . The speed detection means  140  is positioned on said frame  121  so that the speed indication display panel  142  of said speed detection means  140  is in direct alignment with the second aperture  114  of said panel means  110 .  
     [0027] As best seen in FIGS. 1 &amp; 2, the backstop means  200  comprises a vertical hoop member  201 , netting material  203 , and an ovoid-shaped base member  202  having a front portion  202 A and a rear portion  202 B. Referring now to FIG. 2, said vertical hoop member  201  is attached to said ovoid-shaped base member  202  near the rear portion  202 B of said base member  202  in a manner that allows said base member  202  to form a base or ground support for said vertical hoop member  201 . Said netting material  203  is attached at one end to the outer edge of said hoop member  201  thereby draping and loosely covering one side of the hoop member  201  as shown. The other end, or bottom, of said netting material  203  is attached along the sides of the ovoid-shaped base member  202  from a point forward of said vertical hoop member  201  to the rear portion  202 B of said base member  202 . The attachment of said netting material  203  to said hoop member  201  and said base member  202  in this manner allows errant balls striking the netting  203  to be directed downward, stopped and captured.  
     [0028] During use of the present embodiment, the player/athlete would attempt to throw one or more baseballs or softballs through the third aperture  115  of the target means  100 . The speed of the ball would be shown instantaneously on the speed display panel  142  of the speed detection means  140  and the body mechanics of the player/athlete, as well as the ball movement, would be recorded by the video recording means  130  for further review and study by the player/athlete and/or his or her coach.  
     [0029] As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 &amp;  7 , alternate embodiments of the panel means  110  of said target means  100  may be used to practice a variety of sports or athletic activities. In FIG. 5, panel member  310  is shown set up for the sport of hockey. In FIG. 6, panel member  410  is shown set up for target practice. And, in FIG. 7, panel member  510  is shown set up for the sport of tennis. In these alternate embodiments, the third aperture  115  of the panel means  110  of the original embodiment  10  of the invention may or may not be used to allow the ball or puck to pass through the respective target panels  310 ,  410  &amp;  510 . All other aspects of the invention remain the same with regard to the alternate embodiments.  
     [0030] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various alterations in form, detail and construction may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.