Patent Document

[0001]    This application is Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 13/291,345, filed on Nov. 8, 2011, and currently pending. The present invention is directed to a training device to enhance hand-eye coordination, in the field of sport training devices, applicable to particular sports in which hand-eye coordination comes into play. Examples include tennis, racquetball, baseball, and others. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Many individuals participate in sports both as a pastime, as well as a hobby. As can be appreciated, it is important when participating in a particular sport to develop a proper technique in playing the sport to increase an individual&#39;s level of skill, as well as to prevent injuries. 
         [0003]    Therefore, many techniques have been developed for assisting an individual in improving their skill level. With respect to a sport involving hitting a ball, a number of different devices have been developed to enable an individual to better improve his or her performance. For example, and with respect to a racquet sports such as tennis, racquetball or squash, U.S. Pat. No. 2,003,558 to An teaches the use of a training device provided with a uni-directional flexible spinner. This device includes a ball mounted on a flexible support column. In use, the individual strikes the ball at a top most position, forcing the ball away from the individual. Once the ball provided on the support column reaches a first position away from the top-most position, it returns from this position to a position closer to the individual. At this point, the ball then oscillates back and forth until it again reaches the top-most position. During the use of this training device, the individual endeavors to strike the ball when it returns to the top-most position. This type of device allows an individual to practice his or her technique in properly striking the ball without the necessity of including a partner in the training technique. However, the device described in the An patent does not afford the individual with any indication that the ball was properly struck. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present invention relates to a training device to enhance hand-eye coordination. 
         [0005]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a sport training device, such as a reciprocating ball sports trainer, to assist an individual practice hitting a ball with an implement, such as, but not limited to a tennis racket. 
         [0006]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a sport training device including an illumination device for determining the proper time for the individual to strike the ball and to collect practice information for later evaluation. 
         [0007]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a sport training device with various sensors for determining whether the ball has been properly struck. 
         [0008]    The present invention addresses the deficiencies of the prior art by providing a sport training device, such as a reciprocating ball sports trainer, allowing an individual to practice hitting a ball with an implement such as a racket or bat, as well as providing an immediate indication whether the ball has been properly struck. In addition, the individual is provided with a record of his or her performance which can be reviewed by themselves or a professional. This is accomplished by providing a reciprocating ball sports trainer including a ball affixed to a flexible support assembly, and allowing the support and the ball which is attached thereto to reciprocate or pivot when the ball has been struck. The location of the ball is constantly monitored each time the ball is struck. The amount of force applied to the ball when struck by an individual or implement can also be determined. Information relating to the manner in which the ball has been struck is recorded and is analyzed in real time or after a practice session has been completed. The reciprocating ball sports trainer is fitted with wheels, skid pads or traction pads, allowing the sport training device to be steered, freewheeled, braked or slid after each impact with the ball. The direction and amount of travel of the sport training device can be controlled by varying the degrees of the wheels and/or the amount of resistance to movement. 
         [0009]    A ball motor/generator is located in proximity to the ball. The ball motor/generator detects rotation of the ball. This is accomplished by monitoring pulses created by the rotation of the ball. Thereafter, the speed and direction of movement of the ball can be calculated. In addition, the motor/generator can assist the individual to spin the ball and create the effect of top or back spin. The amount of spin produced by hitting the ball is augmented or reduced through the use of a spin retarder placed in proximity with the motor/generator. 
         [0010]    The present invention also includes a timing light providing a light which illuminates a lens when the ball has reached the exact point at which it should be hit by the user, for example, the top dead center point. The timing light uses a light source located in the bottom of the flexible support assembly such as a hollow spring that also holds the ball. When the ball reaches the top of its arc, the timing light illuminates the lens or opaque cover provided at the top of the flexible support assembly resulting from the light passing unimpeded from the bottom of the flexible support assembly to the top of the flexible support assembly. This indicates that the ball has reached the top of the arc at the top dead center position. As the flexible support assembly bends past the top dead center, the light is no longer illuminating the lens or cover due to the bending of the flexible support assembly which blocks light transmission, thereby indicating to the individual that it would not be the proper time to strike the ball. This action is repeated each time the ball passes the top dead center point. 
         [0011]    A timing sensor is provided producing a signal when the individual strikes the ball. The timing sensor includes an illumination device provided in the base of the flexible support assembly and a reflector provided at the top of the flexible support assembly in a direct line with the illumination device. Since the timing sensor is in direct line with the reflector, light impinges on the reflector only when the flexible support assembly is at the top dead center position. Light impinging upon the reflector is reflected back to the bottom of the flexible support assembly to be received by a photo detector. Therefore, if the ball is struck when the flexible support assembly is at the top dead center position, a signal is produced indicating that the ball was struck at the proper time. However, if the ball is struck when the flexible support assembly is not at the top dead center position, a signal is produced indicating that the ball was not struck correctly or at the proper time. A controller provided with a microprocessor and memory is used to calculate and store the number of “good hits” and the number of “bad hits.” Additionally, an audio signal is produced when a “good hit” has been struck. 
         [0012]    Information produced by the timing light and timing sensor, as well as sensed by the ball motor/generator is transmitted to the microprocessor within the base of the reciprocating ball sports trainer. The microprocessor includes a memory in which information generated by the reciprocating ball sports trainer is stored. This information, along with the output from the ball motor/generator is utilized to analyze the manner in which the user has struck the ball. The microprocessor provides real time, or post time information produced by the device. In addition, the device can display information relating to future goals, times, percentages, averages, correct and incorrect hits, impact velocity, as well as position data and any other information appropriate to the technique being developed by the individual. The reciprocating ball sports trainer can be internally or externally powered, recharged via external sources or internal such as kinetic energy generators, solar devices or other means. Real time monitoring by the user allows for real-time feedback, as well as possible interfacing to other interactive or storage devices such as a computer or some other user in real time with a like device such as a Wii. Information relating to the manner in which the individual is performing can be provided in a display included at the base of the sport training device. 
         [0013]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which set forth certain embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which the reference numerals represent like parts throughout in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1   a  is a front perspective view of the reciprocating ball sports trainer; 
           [0016]      FIG. 1   b  is a side perspective view of the reciprocating ball sports trainer; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2   a  is a side view of the sport training device; 
           [0018]      FIG. 2   b  is a rear view of the sport training device; 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an exploded side view showing various components of the reciprocating ball sports trainer; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4  is a detailed perspective view showing the top of the reciprocating ball sports trainer; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5   a  is a side perspective view of the reciprocating ball sports trainer showing the use of a skid attached to the base of the reciprocating ball sports trainer; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5   b  shows details of height adjustment of the device; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  shows various components of the reciprocating ball sports trainer; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a detailed view showing the base of the reciprocating ball sports trainer; 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the reciprocating ball sports trainer showing the motion of the ball; 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the reciprocating sports trainer showing the use of skids; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  shows an end cutaway view of the ball motor generator of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  shows a side cutaway view of the ball motor generator; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12  shows a schematic representation of the electrical circuitry of the present invention; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 13  shows a schematic representation of further electrical circuitry details. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0031]    The detailed embodiment of the present invention is disclosed herein. It should be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiment is merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. 
         [0032]    As previously explained, the purpose of the inventive training device  10  is to allow an individual to practice hitting a ball  12  with any sort of implement, such as, but not limited to a tennis racquet, racquetball racquet, squash racquet and baseball bat. However, for purposes of simplicity, the present invention will be explained with respect to training an individual to properly strike a tennis ball with a tennis racket. 
         [0033]    The reciprocating ball sports trainer  10  ( FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b ) includes a ball  12  attached to a flexible support assembly  11  including a first vertical spring  18  and a second vertical spring  20  parallel to the first vertical spring  18 , as well as a first housing  22  and a second housing  24 . A ball  12  is attached to a U-shaped ball mount  14  ( FIGS. 1   a  and  3 ) with a portion of the ball  12  extending beyond the end of the ball mount  14  ( FIGS. 2   a  and  5   a ) in such a manner to allow the ball  12  to rotate when struck by the tennis racket. One or more bolts  50  ( FIG. 4 ) secure a back plate  49  to the ball mount  14 , with the tops of the springs  18 ,  20  provided between the back plate  49  and the ball mount  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 1   a  and  2   a , a portion of the springs  18 ,  20  will extend to, but not into the separate housings  22 ,  24 , respectively. However, as shown in  FIG. 5   a , the housings  22 ,  24  can be eliminated. Both the vertical springs  18 ,  20  as well as the housings  22 ,  24  are hollow. The length of each housing  22 ,  24  is not crucial to the operation of the present invention and could extend very close to the top ball mount  14 , or be provided a relatively large distance from the ball mount  14 . Housing  22  includes a top outer tube portion  23  and a bottom inner tube portion  27 . Housing  24  includes a top outer tube portion  25  and a bottom inner tube portion  29 . A tightening ring  19  secures the bottom of spring  18  to the top of the top outer tube portion  23  and a tightening ring  21  secures the bottom of spring  20  to the top of top outer tube portion  25 . Since individuals utilizing the reciprocating ball sports trainer  10  will be of different heights, it is important that the height of the ball  12  with respect to the individual could be adjusted so as to be the proper height for each individual. Therefore, the exterior of the housing  22  is provided with a first height adjustor  46  and the exterior of the housing  24  is provided with a second height adjustor  48 . Movement of each of the height adjustors  46 ,  48  changes the height of each housing  22 ,  24  as well as the height of each of the springs  18 ,  20 . Therefore, the height of the ball  12  and the ball mount  14  with respect to the individual user is adjustable to accommodate children as well as adults of varying heights. Both of the housings  22 ,  24  are attached to a base assembly  74  through the use of a spring clamp  72  and bolt  70  as shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0034]    The height of the housing  22  or  24  is changed by telescoping the bottom inner tube portion  27  or  29 , respectively, into or out of the top outer tube portion  23  or  25 , respectively. In one example, the height adjustors  46 ,  48  are conical split rings which overlie the bottom inner tube portions  27 ,  29 , respectively. As the height adjustor  46  is squeezed by a threaded sleeve  101 , the split  109  narrows and it tightens the bottom tube  27  around the upper tube  23 . Similarly, the length of housing  24  is changed by telescoping the upper inner tube portion  25  into or out of the lower outer tube portion  29 . The height adjustor  48  is a ring with a split  111  which overlies the bottom inner tube portion  27 . As the height adjustor  48  is squeezed by threading down sleeve  105 , the split  111  narrows and it tightens the top outer tube portion  25  around the bottom inner tube portion  27 . As can be appreciated, the height of both of the housings  22 ,  24  should be equal to one another during use of the reciprocating ball sports trainer  10 . 
         [0035]    With further reference to  FIG. 5   b , in more detail, it is seen that the rings  46  and  48  are conical in nature and have respective external threads  113  and  115  on their outer surfaces. Each ring is also split, with the ring  46  having a split  109  and the ring  48  having a split  111 . With respect to the telescoping tubes  23 ,  27 , a threaded locking sleeve  101  has internal threads  103  designed to enmesh with the threads  113  of the ring  46 . As the sleeve  101  is rotated so that it descends over the ring  46 , the conical nature of the ring  46  results in the split  109  narrowing, causing the ring  46  to clamp radially inwardly to therefore lock the vertical position of the tube  23  with respect to the tube  27 . The respective upper tube portions  23 ,  25  may telescope within the respective lower tube portions  27 ,  29  or vice-versa as desired. 
         [0036]    In the case of the tubes  25  and  29 , similarly, the ring  48  is conical with external threads  115 . The locking sleeve  105  has internal threads  107  that enmesh with the threads  115  of the ring  48 . As the sleeve  105  is rotated to descend over the ring  48 , the conical nature of the ring  48  results in the split  111  narrowing, causing the ring  48  to clamp down radially inwardly to lock the vertical position of the tube  25  with respect to the tube  29 . 
         [0037]    A first base assembly  74  ( FIG. 1   a ) is mounted upon two longitudinal members or skids  26  which diverge from the base assembly point  74  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1   a - 3 . The base arms  26  act as a base to support the springs  18 ,  20 , the housings  22 ,  24  and the electronics and illumination devices used to operate the reciprocating ball sports trainer  10 . Each of the base arms  26  is provided with separate handles  28 ,  30  for ease of moving the reciprocating ball sports trainer  10  from one location to another location.  FIG. 1  includes a wheel or roller  38  attached to the ends of each of the base legs  26  at the end opposite the handles  28 ,  30 . A butterfly nut  68  (or similar device) as shown in  FIG. 3  attaches the wheel or roller  38  to the connection point of the base legs. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a skid pad  56  or similar device can be substituted for rear wheel or roller  38 . As can be appreciated, striking the ball  12  with the roller  38  attached to the base legs  26  causes the reciprocating ball sports trainer  10  to move more easily than having the skid pad  56  attached to the skids  26 . 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , two load cells  32 ,  34  are provided on or immediately above the base assembly  74  for use in determining whether a ball  12  is properly struck by the individual. One load cell  32  measures the lateral motion of the springs  18 ,  20  and the second load cell  34  measures any reciprocating movement of the springs  18 ,  20  when the ball  12  is struck. The load cells are mounted to the bottom base plate of the device with one on top of the other. The lower load cell  34  is mounted vertically and the upper load cell  32  is mounted horizontally. The lower load cell  34  detects the amount of front  120  to back  122  torque applied to the base  74  when the ball is hit, and the upper load cell  32  detects the amount of rotational, or side  124  to side  126  torque applied to the ball  12  and upper assembly tubes  22 ,  24 . The load cells are able to measure the amount of torque and the rate at which it is applied. The electrical signals from the two load cells are sent to the microprocessor  129  ( FIGS. 12-13 ) via their own wiring harness. That signal will then be used to calculate the amount of energy applied when the ball  12  was struck. By continually monitoring this information, the microprocessor  129  will be able to determine how hard the ball was hit, the direction, and where in the arc the ball is located. This information will also be used to calculate what the trajectory, and velocity of the ball would have been, if the ball  12  were in free play. Calculations within the microprocessor graph the movement of the ball like that of a sinusoidal wave and the zero line is referenced as the zero point of the arc. A graphic representation of the movement of the head looks very much like that of an EKG, or cardiac strip used by a doctor or a paramedic to monitor a Heartbeat. This “STRIP” as it&#39;s called, is used to evaluate the player&#39;s performance. These same measurements are also transmitted (option set via the control panel by the user) to a website, or any other electronic device. This information along with the other data can be used for interactive games, or coaching. It is also used for Live Interactive Tele-Present Coaching, or “Tele-Coaching.” For Example, a student purchases a device, and that student has an internet connection. The student is able to send a live video stream of them, from a remote camera linked with the device. That video and data are then streamed from the device to a coach at a remote location. The coach can then monitor and give real time feedback to the student. Another example is going on vacation and still getting one&#39;s tennis lesson while half a world away. 
         [0039]      FIGS. 3 ,  6  and  7  illustrate the reciprocating ball sports trainer  10  of the present invention with various components removed from an operational reciprocating ball sports trainer  10  for ease of illustration. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , the ball  12  is provided between the two arms  13 ,  15  of the ball mount  14 . A ball motor/generator  42  is provided in the interior of the ball  12 . The ball motor/generator  42  is designed to allow the direction of rotation as well as the speed of rotation of the ball  12  to be detected and measured. The ball motor/generator  42  includes an armature and rotor mounted within a small tube provided within the ball  12  itself. The two ends  42   a ,  42   b  of the ball motor/generator  42  secure the ball  12  to the ball mount  14  through the use of two end caps  16 , allowing the ball  12  to rotate between the two arms  13 ,  15  of the ball mount  14 . 
         [0040]    With particular reference to FIGS.  6  and  10 - 11 , the ball motor generator  42  is a small DC electric motor/generator located within the axle shaft of the ball. It consists of an armature or rotor  130  (outer portion of the shaft attached to the ball) and a stator  134  (inner portion) having plural windings  136  and mounted on the ball mount  14 . Brushes  138  on the armature  130  are spring biased ( 139 ) to engage the support shaft  140 . Armature  130  includes permanent magnets  142 ,  144 . Ball bearings  146  facilitate rotation of the armature  130  with respect to the stator  134 . When the ball  12  spins, the rotation of the armature  130  begins inducing a voltage into the stator  134 . The output voltage and polarity of the ball motor generator  42  are determined by the speed, and direction of rotation and reproducibly represent values of speed and direction of rotation. This information is continually sent to and monitored by the microprocessor  129  to determine whether top or backspin was applied to the ball and how much. The polarity of that output voltage determines the direction of spin, and the amount of voltage used to determine the speed of rotation and amount of spin. The microprocessor  129  captures the voltage levels, and the electrical power that is generated is even re-used via a capacitor. The electrical energy stored in the capacitor bank is then used to recharge the batteries  141  ( FIGS. 12-13 ). Additional recharging capabilities come from the solar panels  143  ( FIG. 13 ) under the display panel. The energy generated is used to power the device, which upon external “spin control” commands via the Wi-Fi interface making the ball spin in either direction. This technique is for a trainer to change the ball dynamics which provides the student with another level of interaction with the device. By being able to place a spin on the ball, a trainer can provide an additional level of interactive game play, or practice session. 
         [0041]    The electrical energy that travels to and from the ball motor generator is done through electrical conductors  160 ,  161  ( FIG. 6 ) on both ends of the axle that contains the ball motor generator. From the ball motor generator  42 , electrical conductors  160 ,  161  or wires transmit the electrical signals to the microprocessor  129  at the base  74  of the unit. The same wiring harness provides connectivity with the LEDs and a photoelectric cell located alongside the LEDs within the base. That wiring harness then connects to the main control box and is wired directly into the onboard microprocessor  129 . 
         [0042]    Once the ball  12  is struck by the tennis racket or other device, the ball  12  moves about an arc  76 ,  78  as shown in  FIG. 8  through the pivoting movement of springs  18 ,  20 . If desired, the tension of the springs  18 ,  20  may be adjusted in a manner well known by those skilled in the art for slow, medium, or fast return flexing. However, the housings  22 ,  24  are fixed in place but slightly flex in both a traverse and/or lateral direction based upon the manner in which the ball  12  has been struck. At this time, as will be explained, the rotation, direction, as well as speed of acceleration and deceleration of the ball  12  are detected by the motor generator  42 . This information is transferred to the microprocessor  129  ( FIGS. 12-13 ) provided in the base assembly  74  of the device. In operation, the rotor  134  is fixed and the armature  130  spins around the rotor of the ball motor/generator  42  ( FIGS. 10-11 ). The rotor is connected to the end cap  16  and two small wire  160 ,  161  ( FIG. 6 ) transmit the electrical signal sent by the ball motor/generator  42  to the rear  17  of the ball mount  14  to which the two small wires are connected to small electrical contacts. These electrical contacts allow the electrical connection to be transferred from the ball motor generator  42  down through the flexible support assembly  11  to the microprocessor  129  provided in the first base assembly  74 . Two additional electrical contacts are connected directly to the microprocessor  129  allowing the processing of the motor/generator signals to take place. Additionally, as will be subsequently explained, signals from the ball motor/generator  42  as well as signals received from a timing light and the load cells (or sensors)  32 ,  34  are also processed and stored within the microprocessor  129 . As best shown in  FIG. 7 , the lateral load cell  32  is provided between the springs  18 ,  20 , at a small distance above the base assembly  74 . Similarly, the reciprocating load cell  34  is also provided between the base of the springs  18 ,  20  and immediately above the top of the base assembly  74 . 
         [0043]    The lateral load cell  32  and the reciprocating load cell  34  are designed to determine the positioning of the ball  12  by measuring the amount of load that is applied to the base assembly  74  of the reciprocating ball sports trainer  10 . The reciprocating load cell  34  determines the position of the ball  12  with respect to vertical by determining the amount of pressure that is applied either in a forward or reverse direction from the center portion of the ball  12  based upon the torque that is sensed by the load cell  34 . When the ball  12  is in the zero position, the springs  18 ,  20  are perfectly aligned straight up and down from the ball mount  14  to the base assembly  74 . When the ball  12  is struck, the ball  12 , the ball mount  14 , and the springs  18 ,  20  will move away from the point of impact in a positive direction  78  as shown in  FIG. 8 . As the ball  12  moves further from the zero position to the furthest point away (direction  76 ) from the center of the arc as shown in  FIG. 8 , the amount of torque applied to the reciprocating load cell  34  increases. As this distance increases in the positive direction  78 , the pressure on the base assembly  74  as well as the load cell  34  is also increased. The reciprocating load cell  34  measures the torque and provides a reading to the microprocessor  129  to determine approximately how far the ball  12  has traveled from the zero point. This measurement allows for the determination of the approximate amount of energy that has been applied to the ball  12  to determine how far and how fast the ball  12  would have traveled from the point of impact, if the ball  12  were not attached to the reciprocating ball sports trainer  10 . 
         [0044]    As the ball  12  starts to come back toward the center or zero point, the amount of torque applied to the reciprocating load cell  34  decreases which is detected. Once the ball  12  reaches the top dead center or zero point and passes into the negative portion of the arc  76 , this motion is detected by the reciprocating load cell  34  to measure how long it took for the ball  12  to cycle, as well as to what speed the ball  12  was traveling as it passed over the zero point. Once the ball  12  has reached its maximum travel distance across the arc and into the negative territory  76 , the reciprocating load cell  34  determines how far past the center point into the negative portion of the arc the ball  12  has traveled. As the ball  12  begins to travel back toward the zero point once again, the reciprocating load cell  34  detects this movement as well. 
         [0045]    Once the ball  12  reaches the zero point for the second time, it will then travel into the positive portion  78  of the arc and begin to return toward the zero point for the third time. When the ball  12  reaches the top dead center point or zero point for the third time, this is the precise moment of the desired impact by the user. By calculating whether or not there was a positive or negative force, or no force at all upon the ball  12  at the time of impact, the system can determine whether or not the ball  12  was struck early, late or precisely at the optimum point of contact, which is the zero point. By monitoring each individual impact as well as the oscillation of the ball  12  and the ball mount  14 ; the present invention itself determines whether or not the user is contacting the ball  12  early, late or exactly as desired. 
         [0046]    When the ball  12  is struck the first time, it moves to the maximum forward position in the arc. As it returns towards the top dead center for the first time, the user does not have enough time to get the racket in place again to hit it before it reaches to top dead center for the first time. As it passes top dead center for the first time, it is moving toward the maximum negative point in the arc. Once it reaches that point, the ball  12  then starts to travel towards the positive side of the arc. Once it reaches the top dead center for the second time, it is traveling in the same direction as the user would be swinging. However, the user would not have enough time to swing at the ball  12  a second time. As the ball  12  reaches the maximum forward point of the arc for the second time, and the ball  12  has now passed the top dead center twice, the user can then begin their next swing. The goal is to have the user&#39;s racket hit the ball  12  at the exact same time that the ball  12  reaches the top dead center for the third time which is when the ball  12  is traveling in the opposite direction as the racket, and a solid hit can be applied to the ball  12 . 
         [0047]    If no lateral roll is sensed by the reciprocating ball sports trainer  10 , particularly by the load cell  32 , this means that the user has struck the ball  12  so that it has traveled without any angle with respect to the user. However, during a tennis match, there are many instances in which the player might wish to strike the ball  12  so that it would angularly move left or right with respect to the player. 
         [0048]    The lateral load cell  32  is used to determine the amount of lateral roll or angulation from vertical, if any, has been produced when the user impacts, as well as the side spin sensed in conjunction with the ball motor/generator  42  the ball  12 . This is done by calculating the amount of torque applied to the ball  12  in a left or right direction, as opposed to the normal arc of travel as shown in  FIG. 8 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the bolts  50  attach the back plate  49  to the ball mount  14  in a manner in which the ball  12  is not angled with respect to the back plate  49 . However, additional holes (not shown) may be provided in the rear of the ball mount  14  to allow the ball mount  14  to be adjusted at a particular angle, such as, but not limited to, 45 degrees to the left or to the right. This is accomplished by attaching the bolts  50  to the back plate  49  using holes provided in the back plate  49  to the left or right of center of the back plate  49 . When the ball mount  14  and thus the ball  12  is adjusted either to the left or to the right, and the user attempts to put side spin, back spin or top spin on the ball  12 , the lateral load cell  32  is able to detect the amount of side torque or twisting of the ball  12  in the left or right direction. By measuring and calculating the amount of force that is applied, the present invention will determine whether the user is hitting the ball  12  correctly, as well as how much lateral movement from the normal arc shown in  FIG. 8 , a particular swing has provided. In addition, each impact can be registered and recorded by remote electronic devices or later reviewed by the user or an instructor. In addition, the function buttons  58  shown in  FIG. 7  allow the user to change the amount and type of information which is measured and recorded. In addition, some of this information is directly provided to the user by the digital display  60 . 
         [0049]    In addition to sensing when an individual has properly struck the ball  12  as well as to determine various other parameters of the ball striking ability of the individual, the present invention assists the individual hitting the ball  12  at the proper location, i.e., the sensor zero point. In  FIG. 6 , the base assembly  74  is provided with a first illumination device including a light emitting diode  62  provided directly under the housing  24 . The illumination produced by the light emitting diode  62  is directed upward through the housing  24  and the hollow spring  18  to a timing light lens  52  ( FIGS. 4 and 6 ) attached to the top of the spring  20 . The light emitting diode  62  shines up through the spring and impacts the bottom of the timing light lens  52  only when the spring  20  is perfectly vertical with respect to the base assembly  74 . The lens  52  has a reflective coating on its bottom surface that reflects much of the light back down toward the LED  62 , however, when light strikes the lens  52 , enough light shines through the reflective coating that the lens illuminates, the illumination clearly visible to the user and signifying that the spring  20  is perfectly vertical, the optimal orientation at which to strike the ball  12 . When the ball  12  is struck by the individual, springs  18 ,  20  move in positive and negative directions away from the zero point. When this occurs, at times when the spring  20  is not perfectly vertical above the base assembly  74 , the light emitted by the light emitting diode  62  is blocked by the bending of the spring  18  and thus the illumination of the light emitting diode  62  no longer strikes the timing light lens  52  and thus is not reflected back down the tube assembly to be detected by the photo electric detector  66 . As the ball  12  travels back to the zero position and comes into perfect alignment with the light emitting diode  62  in the base assembly  74 , the path of the light produced by the light emitting diode  62  is no longer blocked by the spring  20  and the timing light lens  52  becomes illuminated again by direct line of sight by the emitting diode  62  located within the base assembly  74 . Again, the light hitting the timing light lens  52 , visible to the user, indicates to the user the proper time to strike the ball  12  which is when the ball passes over the zero point of the arc. 
         [0050]    A second illumination device including a light emitting diode  64  ( FIG. 6 ) is provided in the bottom of the base assembly  74  and is aligned with the housing  22  and the spring  18 . The top of the spring  18  is provided with a timing light reflector  54  ( FIGS. 4 and 6 ). The reflector  54  reflects light from the LED  64  back toward the LED  64 . When the reflected light reaches the base, it is detected by photo transistors located beside and shielded from the LEDs such as the detector  66  ( FIG. 6 ) shielded by the tube  65 . This electrical signal is constantly monitored by the microprocessor and compared to other signal inputs from the device in real time. Similar to the light emitting diode  62 , light emitting diode  64  produces a beam of light directed from the base assembly  74  up through the housing  22  and the spring  18  which strikes the timing reflector  54  only when the spring  18  is vertical with respect to the first base  74 . As is the case with the lens  52 , the timing reflector  54  allows enough light to shine through its reflective coating so that it glows and indicates to the user that the spring  18  is perfectly vertical. Since the springs  18  and  20  are perfectly vertical simultaneously, use of phototransistors adjacent the light source  62  is optional. The lens  52  and reflector  54  are both provided so that regardless of whether the user is right handed or left handed, they can clearly see the glowing of at least one of them when the ball  12  is perfectly vertical. Therefore, the light produced by the light emitting diode  64  only strikes and illuminates the timing light lens  52  when the spring  18  is in the zero position. The first base assembly  74  is provided with an illumination sensing device including a photo detector  66  provided in a cylinder  65  in proximity with the light emitting diode  64 . The purpose of the cylinder  65  is to prevent cross-contamination of the light between the light emitting diode  64  and the photo detector  66 . The main purpose of this timing light is to determine if the user has struck the ball  12  at the proper time when the ball  12  passes near the zero point within the arc. It is noted that both the timing light lens  52  and the timing light reflector  54  illuminates the top of the springs  18 ,  20  at the same time and the tops of the springs  18 ,  20  become dark at the same time. 
         [0051]    To determine whether the ball  12  has been properly struck on its return arc toward the zero point prior to impact, the microprocessor  129  of the present invention is looking for signals from the lateral load cell  32 , the reciprocating load cell  34 , as well as the zero point detector associated with spring  18 . If the present invention detects an impact of the ball  12  without detecting the pulse from the photo cell  66 , the impact was not correct and would not be considered a good hit. If the system of the present invention detects the pulse received from the photo cell  66  and no impact is detected for a period of time before and after this pulse is detected, then it would be determined that this hit was not correct. The proper correlation between the impact of the ball  12  and the detection by the photo cell  66  also indicate whether the hit was late or early. The amount of impact as well as the amount of time passing between the impact sensed and the zero point is detected, can be programmed or changed within the unit to determine a window of what would be considered a good or bad hit. The present invention is able to determine whether an impact at the zero point or any degree positive or negative of that zero point can be determined as to what would be considered as a good hit. 
         [0052]    As shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a roller or wheel  38  is located at the point the longitudinal members of the leg base  26  converge together. The purpose of the wheels or rollers  38  is to allow the user to move the device around the training area. Additionally, although a single roller wheel  38  is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the unit can be provided with additional rollers to best achieve the amount of movement and direction of movement required by the user. Each time the ball  12  is struck, the impact carries through the base unit and propels the unit forward based upon the amount of energy applied to the ball  12  by the impact. The roller or rollers on the base of the unit have a resistance capability that can be adjusted to allow for the amount of roll desired by the user. This resistance is created by loosening or tightening the butterfly nut  68 . In addition to the amount of roll, the direction of each of the rolls so as to allow the device to roll in a particular direction each time the unit is impacted by the user. This will make it necessary for the user to reposition himself or herself next to the device each time the user wishes to impact the device or swing at the device. The rollers can be used by themselves or in combination with a pad or skid  56  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The use of the pad  56  prevents the unit from moving after each impact or moving very little in combination with a roller or the pad  56 . The pad  56  can be placed on the bottom of the unit to allow it to slide on different types of surfaces such as tennis courts, pavement, wooden floors, carpeting or any other type of flooring or ground material. The pad  56  may be made of any suitable material such as plastic, wood, metal and may, if desired, be covered with a cover or coating to facilitate the desired degree of friction. The device shown in  FIG. 5   a  utilizes elongated springs  31 ,  33  extending from between the ball mount  14  and the back plate  49  and the base  74  instead of the springs  18 ,  20  and the housings  22 ,  24  shown in  FIG. 3 . Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 9 , skid pads  80 ,  82  can be provided at the end of each skid  26  which would also affect the manner in which the training device would move when the ball  12  is struck. 
         [0053]    As previously explained,  FIGS. 6 and 7  show the use of the first base assembly  74  providing a digital display  60  as well as a plurality of function buttons  58 . The function buttons  58  may be arranged in multiple rows including rows above and below the display  60 . Function buttons  58  may be pushed to control on/off of device, on/off of WiFi connection, synchronization with WiFi, dump data to the USB port  188  ( FIG. 12 ), control operation of the speaker  183  ( FIG. 12 ), clear stored data, control operation of the microphone  184  ( FIG. 13 ), cause data to be displayed on the display  60 , cause training data to be stored in the CPU  129  ( FIG. 13 ), to control operation of the USB port  188 , control operation of the Wii port  196  ( FIG. 13 ), and control connection to an external device such as an X Box via the port  200  ( FIG. 13 ). The display  60  can display items including amount of practice time elapsed, total hits, total good hits, remaining practice time, whether ball spin has been initiated, indicate on/off status and/or provide a system ID. This first base assembly  74  is attached to the longitudinal base legs  26  at points  90 ,  92 , the longitudinal base legs  26  forming a second base assembly. The microprocessor  129  for controlling operation of the present invention is also housed in the base assembly  74  as well as being powered by one or more batteries or similar devices stored in power pack  88  shown in  FIG. 9 . The present invention has a variety of different capabilities and functions and can provide a wide range of information not only to the user, but to a coach or instructor as well as uploading information to a website via the Internet. The present invention can be provided with an I-O port that is capable of being interfaced with a wide variety of different electronic devices or components, for example, the I-O port can be plugged into a home computer or a device such as a Wii such that remote information and remote players can be interfaced to the unit such that a semi-reality practice match with professionals or other players in other locations can be conducted utilizing the microprocessors. The present invention can also be interfaced with a home game station so that users can practice against computer-generated professionals to help hone their skills. As previously indicated, the present invention can count the number of good hits, bad hits, total number of hits, as well as a percentage of good or bad hits. The present invention can run software programs and allow the unit to provide lessons and determine if the user has reached a skill level that can be programmed by the user or instructor. 
         [0054]    With particular reference to  FIGS. 12-13 , the microprocessor  129  connects to all of the electronics in the device. There are several Input/Output (I/O) signals and ports on the device such as a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) I/O  181  signal, an Audio Output (Speaker)  183 , as well as for Video Output  185 , and Data signal outputs. The device will also have multiple wireless capabilities, such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi wireless connections  187  to routers. These interfaces with other electronic devices provide for remote interaction, training, and programming. The main function is to monitor and record all inputs, calculate that raw information, and provide real-time feedback. A “Good Hit” is determined by only one thing, and that is the ball being hit when it is in the top dead center position. The device has several ways of detecting this. First, reflected light  62 ,  64  must be detected. Second, the shock of an impact is detected at the same time, and the load cells  32 ,  34  show that the head has changed to the forward direction at the top dead center, and it is moving at a greater velocity than when it entered that position. The level of force applied to the ball is also considered when calculating a Good Hit. That level, along with all other I/O&#39;s can be adjusted in the programming. The device can be programmed by the user or remotely to have goals, and what type of information to be displayed. This information will consist of percentages, number of good or bad hits, numbers of hits needed, times, dates, calories burned, temperature, and solar, and voltage levels. It can also remind you to put on sunscreen. This is achieved by monitoring the input voltage level from the solar panel  143 . The voltage output from the solar panel  143  is designed to be sufficient to facilitate relatively rapid recharge of the batteries  141 . It will also tell you if it is not getting enough sun to recharge, and can even sound an alarm to remind you of your tennis lesson. This can be programmed via any of the aforementioned ways. It can also be synched to your calendar book. The device can be set up via the control panel to also email, and have performance records remotely printed. In addition to being able to provide pre-recorded voice responses, it has a speech recognition function that will allow the user to speak their requests rather than have to key them in. All inputs can be done from the touch screen, the control buttons, via tablets or smart phone devices and gaming stations through the internet (global computer network) interface (Wi-Fi) (via means for so connecting) or by voice commands. Voice commands, sound prompts, and other audio signals are pre-programmed into the device as well. These are triggered by how well the student is performing. All of these parameters will be programmed into different levels, and multiple voice responses will randomly be given via speaker  183  for the same result. i.e.: “Well done”, “Good job”, “That&#39;s the way”, “Way to go”, and several others, will be pre-programmed audio type responses generated from the device for a good hit. A microphone  184  ( FIG. 13 ) may be provided to allow communications between a user and the microprocessor  129 . A USB port  188  ( FIG. 13 ) is provided to allow easy transfer of data stored in the microprocessor  129 . The microprocessor  129  may be coupled to an “X Box” or Nintendo device as desired, wirelessly or directly. 
         [0055]    The display  192  allows display of data resulting from use of the inventive device in a suitable format for easy viewing and understanding. The data to be displayed can include amount of time practiced, total hits, total good hits, remaining practice time, direction of ball spin, an indicator showing that the device is operable as well as log-in information. Also associated with the microprocessor  129  is a keypad  194  allowing inputting of commands to the microprocessor  129 . A Wi-Fi interface  196  ( FIGS. 12-13 ) allows wired connection to the Internet while a wireless connection  187  also has an antenna  198  to facilitate wireless Wi-Fi connection. These Wi-Fi connections permit communications with remote teachers. 
         [0056]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the present invention is provided with a spin retarder  40 . The spin retarder is used to decrease the amount of rotation of the ball  12  once impacted by the user. The spin retarder  40  is composed of two opposed discs provided between the end cap  16  and the ball  12 , each disc provided on either side of the ball  12 . These discs apply friction to the rotation of the ball  12 . As the amount of friction is increased by adjusting the pressure on the two discs, the amount of rotation of the ball  12  is retarded. The purpose of the ball spinner retarder is to allow the user to increase the amount of top spin or back spin applied to the ball  12  with each hit. If little or no friction is applied to the ball  12 , can spin freely makes it very difficult to determine how much top spin or back spin was applied to the ball  12  each time it was hit. As the amount of resistance is increased, the amount of rotation decreases and allows for the user to determine whether they are applying a substantial or significant amount of top spin or back spin to the ball  12  with each hit of the ball  12 . 
         [0057]    While the preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Category: a