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  Practice deviceUSPTO Application #: 20060003854Title: Practice device Abstract: Various methods and devices for improving the eye-hand coordination of a user are provided. In one embodiment, a practice device includes a flexible elongate member having a proximal that adapted to be mounted on a support structure, and a distal end having a target formed thereon. The target is adapted to dissipate energy when struck by a user, such that the device can exhibit a small range of motion. (end of abstract)
Agent: Nutter Mcclennen & Fish LLP - Boston, MA, US Inventor: Joseph P. Hansberry USPTO Applicaton #: 20060003854 - Class: 473423000 (USPTO) Related 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, Tethered Projectile The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060003854. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/359,008, filed Feb. 5, 2003, and currently pending, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/206,460, filed Dec. 7, 1998, and now abandoned, and further claims the benefit of and priority to provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/067,988, filed Dec. 9, 1997, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference herein. [0002] The present application is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/388,199, filed Mar. 13, 2003, and currently pending, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/206,460, filed Dec. 7, 1998, and now abandoned, and further claims the benefit of and priority to provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 60/067,988, filed Dec. 9, 1997, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated by reference herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] The present invention relates to athletic practice equipment, and in particular to athletic practice equipment that helps improve a user's eye-hand coordination. BACKGROUND [0004] Many sports require a participant to strike an object that is either moving or that has a small size. As a result, it is often necessary that such participants have good eye-hand coordination. For example, boxers need to be able to land punches on their opponents, and a boxer's training typically consists of refining their punches and punch combinations as well as developing their eye-hand coordination to improve punch accuracy. [0005] There are many different types of equipment that boxers use to improve their eye-hand coordination. Two common pieces of boxing equipment include the heavy bag and the speed bag. The heavy bag is configured to simulate an opponent, and is usually large in size, weighing upwards of seventy pounds. The speed bag is configured to allow the boxer to practice repetition and punch form, and as a result is smaller in size than the heavy bag. [0006] Both bags are usually mounted from a ceiling to simulate the appearance of an opponent and allow a user to hit them. While effective, this renders use in a place without strong support beams difficult. Further, while such bags are adapted to absorb the blows from the user, they usually respond to a blow by a loud popping or whamming sound, rendering use in a residential building, such as an apartment, difficult. Moreover, due to a combination of the weight and material that such apparatuses are made out of, they can cause injury to a participant when in use. As a result, participants have to wrap their hands or feet with a protective cloth hand wrap similar to an ace bandage or use a striking boot and/or padded gloves in order to prevent spraining or breaking the bones of the hands and/or feet. [0007] Accordingly, there is a need for improved athletic equipment, and in particular athletic equipment that helps a participant improve eye-hand coordination. SUMMARY [0008] The present invention provides various methods and devices for improving the eye-hand coordination of a user while minimizing not only the chance bodily injury to the user, but also the disruption to the environment surrounding the user, namely the noise and vibration created as a result of the user practicing. In one aspect, a practice device is provided that includes a flexible elongate member having proximal and distal ends and a target. The proximal end can be adapted to be mounted on a support structure. While a variety of mounts can be used with the device disclosed herein, in an exemplary embodiment the mount can be a cleat. [0009] A target can be formed on the distal end of the flexible elongate member, and preferably, the target serves to dissipate energy delivered by the user when the target is struck. Moreover the target can be adapted to exhibit a small range of lateral motion as well as effect a small amount of resistance in response to being struck by a user. While the target can have a variety of configurations, the target can be formed from rope, fabric, plastics, or other materials and, preferably, is deformable, elastic or resilient in nature. In one exemplary embodiment, the target can be a frayed member. Alternatively, the target can be a conical member. [0010] The device can also include a variety of features to effect stabilization thereof when the target is struck by a user. In one exemplary embodiment, the device can include a weighted portion that is formed on the flexible elongate member and located proximal to the target. The weighted portion is adapted to provide inertia when the target is struck by the user, and can be a knot, a nut, a washer, a wooden member, a plastic member, or a ball bearing. The weighted portion can also be surrounded by a covering, such as a ball. In other exemplary embodiments, the covering can optionally be used as the target that is struck by the user. [0011] The weighted portion can also provide additional mass to the device, preferably adding at least 5 grams, more preferably 25 grams or more. In one embodiment, the overall device can be at least 50 grams to provide greater stability. [0012] In another aspect, a practice device is provided that includes a mount adapted to couple to a support structure and an anchoring member having a first end adapted to couple to a mount such that the anchoring member extends laterally therefrom. The device can further include an end cap that is adapted to be placed on a second end of the anchoring member and a flexible elongate member having a target formed at a distal end thereof that is adapted to have a small range of motion when struck by a user. The device can also have features to effect securement of the flexible elongate member within the anchoring member. In one exemplary embodiment, the flexible elongate member extends through at least one of a plurality of holes formed in the anchoring member, and is wrapped around an outer circumference thereof. [0013] The device can also include a variety of features to effect stabilization thereof when the target is struck by a user. In one exemplary embodiment, the device can include a weighted portion that is formed on the flexible elongate member and located proximal to the target. The weighted portion is adapted to provide inertia in response to the target being struck by the user. In one exemplary embodiment, the weighted portion can be a knot, a nut, a washer, a wooden member, a plastic member, or a ball bearing. The weighted portion can also be surrounded by a covering, such as a ball. In other exemplary embodiments, the ball can be the target that is struck by the user. [0014] Methods for improving eye-hand coordination are also disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a method includes mounting a device that includes a flexible elongate member having a target that is adapted to exhibit a small range of lateral motion when struck to a support, adjusting a height of the target, and striking the target. The step of striking the target can include striking a frayed portion of the flexible elongate member that is formed on a distal end thereof or a conical member formed on the distal end of the flexible elongate member. Alternatively, the flexible elongate member can further include a weighted portion positioned proximally from the target, and the step of striking the target can include striking the weighted portion. [0015] In another embodiment, the device can further include an anchoring member that is adapted to laterally extend from the support, and the step of adjusting the height of the target can include threading the flexible elongate member through a center hole in a cap adapted to be placed on an end of the anchoring member, threading the flexible elongate member through a lumen and at least one of a plurality of holes formed in the anchoring member, and mating the cap to the end of the anchoring member such that the flexible elongate member is securely held therein. The step of adjusting the height of the target can further include wrapping the flexible elongate member around an outer surface of the anchoring member and threading the flexible elongate member through at least one of the plurality of holes in the anchoring member, such that the flexible elongate member is securely positioned within the anchoring member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] The invention will be more fully understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0017] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a practice device; [0018] FIG. 1B is a view of the proximal end of the device of FIG. 1A; [0019] FIG. 1C is another view of the proximal end of the device of FIG. 1A; Continue reading... Full patent description for Practice device Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Practice 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 Practice device or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Golf ball Next Patent Application: Basketball return device Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Practice device patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 1.51838 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , |
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