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Indoor/outdoor ball control training device

Indoor/outdoor ball control training device description/claims

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/249,677, filed Oct. 12, 2005, entitled “Ball Control Training Device,” which claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60/618,039 entitled “Pass Back,” filed Oct. 12, 2004.

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, which can be used both indoors and outdoors.

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.

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. 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.

Further approaches to providing a training resource, which is not as heavy but provides desired stability, have included a training board or panel designed to provide a rebound surface and related support structures which may be staked into the ground. Obviously, this staking process provides more stability and a more rigid structure. This approach can be very beneficial and effective when used outdoors where staking is possible, however, does not adapt itself well to indoor applications. Clearly, most indoor athletic facilities do not appreciate having devices staked into the floor.

When utilized indoors, the challenge for such a training structure such as those disclosed or described above relates to stability. Obviously, it is possible to create a supported upright structure which is itself rigid and stable. However, it is much more challenging to provide a structure which will stay in place when used indoors and will not slide across the floor. This is especially true when permanent anchoring structures are not available.

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.

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.

An additional object is to provide a training device that can be used indoors or outdoors.

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.

Yet another object is to provide a portable, ground supported athletic training device that is easier to use, transport, and store.

Also, an object of the present invention that can support multiple rebound surfaces when used indoors.

To achieve these and other objects, there is provided an indoor/outdoor athletic training device. The device includes a generally rectangular structure having length, width and thickness directions. A substantially smooth rebound surface extends generally in the length and width directions and is appropriately exposed to allow a ball to be kicked there against. A first panel support arm is mounted to the panel structure 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 also mounted to the panel structure 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. A similar third support arm may likewise be attached to provide additional support. 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 or stakes are insertable into the ground to releasably secure the panel structure to the ground in the upright position when being used outdoors.

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.

In addition to the above-discussed ability to stake the support structure into the ground, the present invention also provides the ability to utilize the same board in an indoor setting by incorporating an indoor base unit which is easily coupled to the above-referenced structure. The indoor base includes a floor contacting panel which is designed to be placed upon an indoor floor of different types. The floor contacting panel includes frictional components intended to provide sufficient friction with the floor, thus keeping the indoor base in place when encountering ball forces. In addition, the indoor base includes uprights, which attach to the board and provide supporting structures to maintain the board in a desired position.

In order to provide additional versatility, the indoor base includes at least two supporting structures on opposing sides of the uprights. These supporting structures are oriented at slightly different angles with respect to the floor contacting surface, thus providing the ability to place the related board at similar varying orientations. Further, the multiple support surfaces allow for multiple boards to be simultaneously used, thus providing a 2-sided training structure.

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 rebound 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.

• Provisional Patent
• Utility Patent

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