Patent Publication Number: US-6220974-B1

Title: Training device for kicking soccer balls

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention relates to a ball kicking device which will automatically return the ball to a kicking position. This device can also be used for aerobic exercise. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Patents setting forth a background for this invention are: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,050,694; 4,158,458; 4,322,075; 4,477,083; 4,576,379; 4,720,095; 4,836,542; 5,037,113; 5,280,922; 5,398,940; and 5,692,975. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to allow an individual to practice kicking a soccer-sized ball repeatedly, getting continuous repetitions, or kicks, at the ball in a stationary position while using only a few feet of space. 
     Another object of the invention is to allow a person to get an aerobic workout while repeatedly and continuously kicking a ball. 
     A further object of the invention is to improve or exercise a person&#39;s legs or feet and coordination motor skills by repeatedly kicking a moving ball while standing in a stationary position, needing only a few feet of room to accomplish this. 
     Another object of this invention is to practice kicking a soccer-like ball in the confines of one&#39;s house, or other contained area, without holding a soccer-like ball attached to a cord in one&#39;s hand. This invention allows one to practice kicking the ball with power having one&#39;s hands free in the confines of one&#39;s home, needing no more than a minimum amount of space. 
     A further object of this invention is to have a training device for kicking a soccer-type ball having a frame with two upstanding members with a crossbar between them; the soccer-type ball hangs by a first cord from the crossbar to be placed at a kicking height, a second cord is attached between the soccer-type ball and an upstanding member to control the path of the soccer-type ball about the upstanding member after it has been kicked. To change the length of the second cord to place the soccer-type ball closer to the upstanding member will change the speed at which the soccer-type ball returns to the kicker. 
     Another object of the invention is to have a training device with two upstanding members with a crossbar at the top thereof (a) wherein a bottom section of each upstanding member can be placed in holes in the ground or concrete flooring; (b) wherein the bottom of each upstanding member can be held in a movable frame base (including weighted members); and (c) wherein the upstanding members are connected to a wall by supporting members. 
     A further object of this invention is to have a movable base formed with a plywood platform having supporting members fixed therewith for holding the bottom of spaced ends of upstanding members of a vertical frame for a training device. 
     Another object of this invention is to have a movable base formed by spaced weighted members, one weighted member for holding the bottom of each leg of a downwardly projecting member of a training device. An interconnecting member could connect the two spaced weighted members together for spacing and stability. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a training device for kicking a soccer-type ball wherein the distance a soccer-type ball hangs down below a horizontal crossbar by a first cord relative to a kicking surface can be changed, and the distance a soccer-type ball can be spaced from a vertical upstanding member can be changed by a second cord. 
     Another object of the invention is to provide a training device for goal keepers to catch a soccer-type ball where the hands can be used to contact the soccer-type ball in play. The training device is used with only one cord hanging a soccer-type ball from a horizontal crossbar. The goal keeper kicks the soccer-type ball which starts to wrap around the crossbar and as the soccer-type ball comes around the crossbar, the goal keeper can catch the soccer-type ball. 
     A further object of this invention is to provide a flat movable base with two vertical holding tubes spaced to receive each vertical upstanding member of the device. Each holding tube would be sufficiently high enough to give adequate support to the upstanding members and training device and could be of a type which could be fixed to the ground by placing metal rods through holes in the flat base into the ground. The base could take different shapes on the ground so that the metal rods would give maximum support. 
     Another object of the invention is to have a modified training device with a “bounce” board rotatively mounted on one upstanding member so that the board can be fixed at different angular positions, the positioning of the board controls the speed of the soccer-type ball back to the kicker&#39;s foot. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the training device showing a soccer-type ball connected to a frame placing the ball at ground level for kicking; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear view of the training device showing the positioning of a platform, representing ground level, on which the user would stand; 
     FIG. 3 is a top view of the training device; 
     FIG. 4 is a partial rear view of FIG. 2 where the soccer-type ball is connected to the frame by the use of a netted bag; 
     FIG. 5 is a rear view of a modification of the training device showing a side “bounce” board to control the return time of the soccer-type ball to the foot of the kicker; 
     FIG. 6 is a rear view of the training device wherein the two upstanding members of the frame are extended to be positioned in pre-formed receiving holes in the ground or concrete flooring; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the training device wherein the two upstanding members are connected to a wall for supporting the training device with the bottom of the two supporting members positioned on a floor; 
     FIG. 8 is a rear view of a modification of the training device wherein the two upstanding members and horizontal member are integrally connected at the top with a curved connection, each upstanding member has its own weighted member at its bottom, and a different cord attachment is used; 
     FIG. 9 is a view of the top of the horizontal member and two curved connections of FIG. 8 showing the top cord connection; and 
     FIG. 10 is a side view of the bottom of the right side of the training device of FIG. 8 with the weighted member removed showing the side cord connection. 
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 , this training device  1  includes two upstanding members  2  and  4 , and a top crossbar  6 . The top of each upstanding member  2  and  4  is connected to one of the ends of the crossbar  6 . In a construction made of PVC pipe, a 90° joint  8  was used to make this connection. 
     The bottom of each upstanding member  2  and  4  has a horizontal floor member  14  extending rearwardly therefrom by the use of a 90° joint  10 , which permits a plywood platform  20  to be placed on top of the rearwardly extending floor members  14  forming a platform device  18 . A rear cross member  16  is fixed between the horizontal floor members  14  at their rear ends by 90° joints  12  to form a support frame. Other cross members between the floor members  14  can be used if necessary. Other support devices can be used under the plywood platform  20 , such as spaced blocks or legs. The plywood platform  20  is fixed to the horizontal floor members  14  by screws  21 . However, if desired, a platform device  18  can be made without floor members  14 , cross member  16 , and 90° joints  10  and  12  to be placed on a flat surface with upstanding supports at each forward end thereof to receive the lower ends of the upstanding members  2  and  4 , such as the upwardly facing legs of 90° joint  10 . Other sheet material can be used as a platform  20  to support the upstanding members  2  and  4  and the crossbar  6 . 
     Soccer-type ball  26  has a first eye member, or loop,  25  fixed thereon on one side and a second eye member, or loop,  40  fixed thereon at 90° to the first eye member, or loop,  25 . The crossbar  6  has an eye member  22  fixed thereto below the crossbar  6 . A cord  24  is fixed to the eye member, or loop,  25  of the soccer-type ball  26  and passed through the eye member  22  of the crossbar  6  and through a second eye member  28  adjacent one end of the crossbar  6 . The cord  24  has a hook device  30  at its free end thereof for positioning the ball  26  at a specific position for kicking. A couple of eye members,  31  and  32 , are fixed to the inside of the upper part of upstanding member  4  to receive the hook device  30 . The eye member  31  is positioned so that when the hook device  30  is hooked into it, the cord  24  will be fixedly positioned with respect to the crossbar  6 , as if it were tied thereon, so that the ball  26  will be next to the platform  20 , representing a ground level position for kicking. The eye member  32  is positioned so that when the hook device  30  is hooked into it, the ball  26  will be a distance above the platform  20 . The placement of the eye member  32  sets this desired distance. Eye members  31  and  32  can be placed on crossbar  6 , if desired, correcting the length of cord  24  to obtain the proper ball positions. 
     With the ball  26  hanging straight downwardly, a cord  42  is connected to the eye member, or loop,  40  of the soccer-type ball  26  and passes through an eye  44  on upstanding member  4 . The cord  42  has a hook device  50  at its free end thereof for moving the ball  26  horizontally. A couple of eye members,  46  and  48 , are fixed to the inside of the lower part of upstanding member  4  to receive the hook device  50 . The eye member  46  is positioned so that when the hook device  50  is hooked into it, the ball  26  will be in the center between the upstanding members  2  and  4  when the hook device  30  is in eye member  31 . The eye member  48  is positioned so that when the hook device  50  is hooked into it, the ball  26  is drawn close to the upstanding member  4 . 
     The eye members  22  and  28  can have a small opening in their circumference adjacent the crossbar  6  to remove the cord  24  and ball  26  from the training device  1  if desired. This will permit the ball  26  and cord  24  to be used for hand-held practice. 
     A hook device can be used in the connection of cord  42  to the eye member,or loop,  40 , of ball  26  for easy removal of the ball  26 . To remove the cord  42 , the eye member  44  can have its eye large enough to pass the hook device  50  therethrough. 
     In a modified form, the training device  1  can have the cord  42  extend from the ball  26  and pass through a hole extending through the upstanding member  4  to the outside of the upstanding member  4 , and the eye members  46  and  48  can be located on another side of the upstanding member  4 , such as the outside. 
     A player stands on the platform  20  facing the frame members  2  and  4  and crossbar  6  with the soccer-type ball  26  hanging down a fixed distance from said crossbar  6  in front of the player. The player can kick the ball  26  and the cords  24  and  42  will start to wrap around the upstanding member  4  until the ball  26  stops; the ball  26  will then return to its starting position where the player will then kick it again to obtain accuracy and repetition in movement. The device shown stands around three feet high with approximately two feet between the members  2  and  4 . The construction of the device can change with the size of the player being coached, for example. As explained above, the distance the soccer-type ball hangs down from crossbar  6  can be made to be adjustable for kicking. This device could also be used for aerobic training and increasing movement of the legs and strengthening thereof. 
     FIG. 4 shows the lower part of a training device  1  where the ball  26  being used is held in a netted bag  45 . The top of the netted bag  45  is fixed to the cord  24  by the use of a ring  47 . The side of the netted bag  45  is fixed to the cord  42  by the use of a ring  49 . Other connecting means can be used between the cords  24  and  42 , and the netted bag  45  such as clips, knots, or similar devices. The structure of the training device  1  is the same as that shown in FIG. 2. A real soccer ball can be used by placing it in the netted bag  45  to derive the exact feel of the surface of a real soccer ball against one&#39;s feet. 
     FIG. 5 shows the training device  1  of FIG. 2 with a modification thereon for controlling the speed of the return of the ball  26 . This modification consists of a “bounce” board  52  for positioning in an angular position around the upstanding member  4  to vary the distance the kicked ball  26  must travel to change direction and return to the kicker. The “bounce” board  52  has two brackets  54  fixedly attached to the top and bottom of the “bounce” board. These brackets  54  each have a circular portion  56  for rotatively moving about the upstanding member  4 . Each circular portion  56  has a turn screw  58  thereon to fix the angular position of the “bounce” board  52  on the upstanding member  4 . The “bounce” board  52  can use other arrangements connecting it to the frame to fix it at a specific angular position, and can be made of many materials such as wood, plastic, composition material, etc. 
     FIG. 6 is a modification of the training device  1  where the upstanding members  2  and  4  are elongated to extend into openings  62  in the ground or in a floor, such as concrete. This eliminates the use of a separate platform device  18 . In a construction where concrete is being poured to form a base for a training device, tubular members can be properly placed in position to receive the upstanding members  2  and  4 , and the concrete poured around them; the tubular members can be made of varied materials such as metal or plastic. An existing concrete floor could have openings  62  drilled therein to receive the upstanding members  2  and  4  so that the training device could be put in place to practice when desired. The floor openings  62  could have caps (not shown) to be placed over the openings  62  when the training device  1  is stored away. 
     FIG. 7 shows a training device  1  attached to a wall, for example as in a garage, where openings  62  for the upstanding members  2  and  4  are not needed. The arms  72  extending from each upstanding member  2  and  4  are shown pivoted at one end by pivot members  76  to the upstanding member  2  and  4  and pivoted at the other end by pivot members  78  to a bracket  74  on the wall. This permits the training device  1  to be lifted upwardly and placed substantially against the wall, making room for other activity. A hook (not shown) or other holding device on the wall can maintain the training device  1  in an upright position. Other devices can be used to maintain the training device  1  in its upright position. The arms  72  can be fixed in position, if desired. 
     FIG. 8 is a modification of the training device  1  using a PVC pipe where the upstanding members  2  and  4  are made integral with the crossbar  6  at the top. Two spaced weighted members  80  are positioned on a kicking surface so that an opening  82  in each weighted member  80  receives the lower end of one of the cooperating upstanding members  2  and  4 . The opening  82  in each weighted member  80  is placed adjacent one side of the weighted member  80  so that when the weighted members are placed to receive the upstanding members  2  and  4 , the openings  82  are positioned opposite each other to allow adequate kicking space between the weighted members  80 . A member could connect the two weighted members  80  to properly space them for use. This would provide some stability in the base. 
     The weighted members  80  can be made in a number of ways and of different sizes. For example, the weighted member  80  can be formed of heavy material or made hollow and filled with water or sand. In a training device  1 , the weighted members  80  were formed by pouring concrete in a rectangular box where a cylindrical member was positioned in the box to form an opening  82  in the formed weighted member  80  to receive an upstanding member. 
     This FIG. 8 also shows a different method for connecting the first cord  24  to the crossbar  6 . The upper part of this cord  24  extends through an opening in the crossbar  6  to the top thereof, with the cord  24  having a small ball member  84  connected to the end of the cord  24  above the crossbar  6  to permit the soccer-type ball  26  to hang down and be positioned at a kicking surface, as shown in FIG.  8 . 
     To position the soccer-type ball  26  above the kicking surface, the small ball member  84  is raised, lifting the soccer-type ball  26  by the cord  24 . The small ball member  84  is placed in a hole  86  (see FIG. 9) in the top of the crossbar  6 ; this hole  86  has a short narrow channel section  88  extending toward the center of the crossbar  6  which receives the cord  24  while the small ball member  84  fits into crossbar  6  under the narrow channel section  88 . 
     This FIG. 8 also shows a different method for connecting the second cord  42  between the side of the soccer-type ball  26  and the upstanding member  4 . The connection is made in a manner similar to the connection of the first cord  24  to the crossbar  6 . The free end of the cord  42  extends through an opening in the upstanding member  4  with the cord  42  having a small ball stop member  94  connected to the end of the cord  42  on the outside of the upstanding member  4  to fixedly position the distance that the soccer-type ball  26  can move away from the upstanding member  4  when the soccer-type ball  26  is kicked. 
     The upstanding member  4  has a hole  96  spaced a short distance upwardly from the opening through the upstanding member  4  holding the second cord  42 . To move the soccer-type ball  26  toward the upstanding member  4 , the small ball stop member  94  is placed in the opening  96 ; this hole  96  has a short narrow channel section  98  extending toward the bottom of the upstanding member  4  which receives the cord  42  while the small stop member  94  fits into the upstanding member  4  under the narrow channel section  98 . 
     It is noted that if one wants to practice kicking to the left, the upstanding members  2  and  4  can be lifted out of their supporting openings and reversed in position. For example, this can be done easily in FIG.  6 . It can also be done in FIGS. 1,  4 , and  5  if the upstanding members  2  and  4  are not fixed in their respective 90° joints  10  of platform device  18 , and in FIG. 8 if the upstanding members  2  and  4  are not fixed in openings  82 . In FIG. 7 it will be necessary to have the pivot members  76  removed, the upstanding members  2  and  4  reversed, and the pivot members  76  replaced. A duplicate set of eye members  28 ,  31 ,  32 ,  44 ,  46  and  48  could be placed on the other side of the training device  1  where the training device  1  is fixed in position as FIG. 7 would be with fixed arms  72 . 
     This training device  1  can be used to also help train goal keepers by disconnecting the second cord  42  from the soccer-type ball. This permits the ball when it is kicked by the trainee to go directly around the horizontal crossbar  6  and back to the trainee to catch the soccer-type ball  26 . The soccer-type ball  26  can be repetitively kicked with varying forces to give the trainee practice with handling catching a soccer-type ball  26  at different incoming speeds. 
     The hook devices  30  and  50  used in FIGS. 1-7 had a side with a spring action to hold the hook devices  30  and  50  in place once hooked on an eye member. The spring action permits the hook device  30  or  50  to be released from one eye member and hooked on another. In a training device  1 , with the soccer-type ball hanging straight down, the soccer-type ball was spaced a distance from the upstanding member to which it was connected by less than the diameter of the soccer-type ball. 
     While the principles of the invention have now been made clear in illustrative embodiments, it will become obvious to those skilled in the art that many modifications and arrangements are possible without departing from those principles. The appended claims are, therefore, intended to cover and embrace any such modifications, within the limits of the true spirit and scope of the invention.