Tethered-ball training device
OwnerPatrick J. Kellyinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tethered-ball training device used for repetitive training exercises in a variety of sports. The tethered-ball trainer has a ball support means, a retraction means, and a ball. The retraction means is mounted on the support and the tether connects the retraction means to the ball. The retraction means, or tether-rewinding device, allows the tether to feed-out when a force is applied to the ball and provides for a controlled retraction when the force is removed. In alternate embodiments, the retraction means is a spring-wound cord reel and either one or more may be used. Various embodiments include one or multiple-tether devices, a sensor for determining the boundaries of ball travel and speed, completely collapsible support means, and length adjustment means for the support means.
Claims15
A tethered-ball training device comprising:
- a) a support;
- b) first and second tether-rewinding devices coupled to said support and coupled to first and second tethers,
- wherein the tether-rewinding devices allow the feed-out of the tethers when a force is applied thereto and the controlled retraction of the tethers when the force is removed;
- and
- c) a ball coupled to the first and second tethers,
- wherein said support further comprises:
- d) a U-shaped support having a first vertical pole, a second vertical pole and a horizontal pole connecting the first vertical pole and the second vertical pole;
- e) a base having a first leg and a second leg,
- wherein the first vertical pole is coupled to the first leg and the second vertical pole is coupled to the second leg.
A tethered-ball training device comprising:
- a) a U-shaped support having a first vertical pole, a second vertical pole and a horizontal pole connecting the first vertical pole and the second vertical pole;
- b) a base having a first leg and a second leg,
- wherein the first vertical pole is coupled to the first leg and the second vertical pole is coupled to the second leg;
- c) a first tether-rewinding device having a first tether,
- wherein the first tether-rewinding device is coupled to the first vertical pole;
- d) a second tether-rewinding device having a second tether,
- wherein the second tether-rewinding device is coupled to the second vertical pole;
- and
- e) a ball attached to the first tether and the second tether, thus being suspended between the first and second vertical poles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.