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Ball control training deviceRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Playing Field Or Court Game; Game Element Or Accessory Therefor Other Than Projector Or Projectile, Per Se, Practice Or Training Device, Having Projectile Return Means, Deflector, PlanarBall control training device description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060089213, Ball control training device. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/618,039 entitled "Pass Back," filed Oct. 12, 2004. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to sports training boards and other equipment designed to improve ball handling skills, and more particularly to targets with rebound capability for use in improving a soccer player's reactions and ball handling skills. [0003] Regardless of their levels of ability and experience, soccer players retain the need and desire to improve their kicking and other ball handling skills, and improve their reactions to approaching soccer balls, whether passed or deflected. While soccer matches and practice sessions certainly afford opportunities to further develop these reactions and skills, many players seek additional opportunities to work on their playing skills, at locations other than soccer fields where space may be limited, and at times when other soccer players may not be available. [0004] A known product intended to address these needs includes a face panel or board designed to provide a rebound surface, two support boards hinged to the panel and positionable to extend rearwardly from the face panel to support it on the ground, and a center board also hinged to the face panel for keeping the support boards spaced apart and in position when the product is in use. [0005] While this product is useful for certain practice activities, it is unduly heavy and lacks the flexibility to accommodate a wide range of training activities. [0006] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an athletic training device that is compact and lightweight, yet durable and able to withstand repeated contact with soccer balls and other projectiles. [0007] Another object is to provide a ground supported target with rebounding capability and a means for securely and releasably fixing the target to the ground. [0008] A further object is to provide a training device with rebound capability that is more flexible in terms of providing target areas of different sizes and different angles relative to the ground. [0009] Yet another object is to provide a portable, ground supported athletic training device that is easier to use, transport, and store. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] To achieve these and other objects, there is provided an athletic training device. The device includes a panel structure having mutually perpendicular length, width and thickness directions, and a substantially smooth obverse surface extending generally in the length and width directions. A first panel support arm is mounted to the panel structure near a first end thereof for pivoting between a panel support position in which the first arm extends rearwardly away from the panel structure, and a storage position in which the first arm is disposed along and adjacent the panel structure. A second panel support arm is mounted to the panel structure near a second end thereof for pivoting between a panel support position in which the second arm extends rearwardly away from the panel structure, and a storage position in which the second arm is disposed along and adjacent the panel structure. The first arm and second arm when in their respective support positions are adapted to support the panel structure in an upright position on generally level ground with the width direction at a predetermined angle relative to the ground. A plurality of panel anchoring members are insertable into the ground to releasably secure the panel structure to the ground in the upright position. [0011] Each of the panel anchoring members can have an elongate shaft and an enlarged head at one end of the shaft. Preferably the panel structure and the support arms are provided with apertures running through these components, and the anchoring members extend through the apertures and into the ground. Thus, the anchoring members cooperate to securely fix the panel structure against sliding or skidding over the ground in response to horizontal forces, such as the impact from a kicked soccer ball. As compared to designs that rely on the weight of the board and support structure to resist sliding, the anchoring members provide a secure hold, yet allow a lightweight target construction. [0012] Another aspect of the present invention is an athletic training apparatus. The apparatus includes a panel assembly having mutually perpendicular length, width and thickness directions, a substantially smooth obverse surface extending generally in the length and width directions, and a base region extending in the length direction along one edge of the panel assembly with a base region thickness greater than a general panel thickness over most of the panel assembly. A plurality of first apertures extend through the base region. A panel support structure is adapted to extend rearwardly from the panel assembly in a panel support position for maintaining the panel assembly in an upright position on generally level ground with the base region and a rearward support region of the support structure in contact with the ground. A plurality of second apertures extend through the support region. A plurality of elongate anchoring members are provided, each adapted to extend through one of the first and second apertures and into the ground. The anchoring members cooperate to releasably secure the panel assembly to the ground in the upright position. [0013] Along with the secure fixation provided by the anchoring members, the base region of the panel assembly provides a convenient location for forming relatively short apertures to accommodate the anchoring members. Further, the panel assembly can incorporate a panel reinforcing structure to support a relatively thin face panel against soccer ball impact and other forces. The reinforcing structure can have an open frame configuration, thus to provide the necessary impact resistance without unduly adding to the mass of the panel structure. [0014] Further in accordance with the invention, there is provided a training board assembly. The assembly includes a first panel having first mutually perpendicular length, width and thickness directions, and a substantially smooth obverse surface extending generally in the first length and width directions. A set of first coupling elements are disposed along a first edge of the panel. A first panel support structure is adapted to extend rearwardly from the first panel in a panel support position for maintaining the first panel in an upright position on generally level ground with the first panel and a rearward support region of the support structure in contact with the ground. The assembly includes a second panel having second mutually perpendicular length, width and thickness directions, and a substantially smooth second obverse surface extending generally in the second length and width directions. A set of second coupling elements are disposed along a second edge of the second panel. The first and second coupling elements are adapted to form a plurality of interlocking engagements, each involving one of the first coupling elements and one of the second coupling elements, to releasably couple the first and second panels in a selected alignment with the first and second edges adjacent one another and the first and second obverse surfaces providing a substantially continuous single surface. [0015] The multiple panel approach can be used to selectively increase the size of the target area, by adding to the horizontal length, by adding to the vertical width, or both. Panels with universal coupling configurations can be used alone, or in any desired arrangement. [0016] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, the panel structure can incorporate components for generating sensible signals in response to a soccer ball or other object contacting the obverse surface. More particularly, pressure sensitive components, speakers and associated circuitry as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,808,462 (Snyder, et al.). Further, the panels can incorporate selection circuitry for generating different sounds or visible displays in response to different episodes of soccer ball contact. IN THE DRAWINGS [0017] For a further understanding of the above and other features and advantages, reference is made to the following detailed description and to the drawings, in which: [0018] FIG. 1 is a frontal elevation of a training board for soccer, constructed in accordance with the present invention; [0019] FIG. 2 is a side elevation showing the training board mounted on level ground; [0020] FIG. 3 is a rear elevation of the training board; [0021] FIG. 4 is a forward perspective view of an alternative embodiment soccer training board; Continue reading about Ball control training device... Full patent description for Ball control training device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Ball control training device patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Ball control training device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Baseball batting training device Next Patent Application: Baseball device with sound Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Ball control training device patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.71371 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Medical: Surgery , Surgery(2) , Surgery(3) , Drug , Drug(2) , Prosthesis , Dentistry 174 |
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