Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02895421 2015-06-25
CATCH AND THROW BALL TRAINING DEVICE
FIELD
A device that enables a person to practice ball handling catch and throw
techniques by
themselves.
BACKGROUND
[0001] Tethered balls for use as toys or as practice devices exist. US Patent
5,094,462 teaches
a tethered soccer ball wherein the ball is in a net, the net is attached to
one end of a bungee cord
and the other end of a bungee cord is attached to a strap that wraps around a
person's wrist or
ankle.
[0002] US Patent 6,971,963 teaches a toy with a springable cord and a ball.
The toy has a wrist
band that is stated to provide a way for minimizing twisting and knotting of
the elastic band in
the device. CA Patent 2,105,948 teaches an athletic training device in which a
ball is secured to
the end of an extensible elastic cord and the other end is attached to a
lacrosse stick or to a
player's wrist. US Patent 5,083,797 tearhes a game ball training
apparatus/carrier that has a net
for retrieving or holding the ball and an adjustable inelastic tether cord or
rope connecting the
user to the ball. US Patent 8,257,203 teaches a volleyball training system in
which the ball is
connected to the user's body so that once hit, the ball will not travel far
from the user and can be
easily retrieved.
[0003] US 2,142,068, 2,269,633, 3,031,191, 3,042,404, 3,351,343, 3,635,476,
3,843,126,
4,147,353, 4,350,338, 4,601,474 and 4,836,555 describe various other tethered
ball game toys
and training devices.
[0004] There is a need in the art for a device that can be used to practice
ball handling skills for
throw and catch sports, and which mimics the real game situation. The device
should enable a
person to throw and catch a ball alone, without the need for a partner, or a
wall or other structure
to return the ball. The device should be durable and easy to manufacture.
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SUMMARY
[0005] Described herein is a ball training device that is designed to aid
users in developing
ball-handling skills of many and varying types, such as catching and throwing
techniques, hand-
eye coordination, reaction time, accuracy, speed and footwork, without having
to retrieve the
ball. The ball training device comprises a ball, an elastic tether and an
means of attaching the
device to a user or to a lacrosse stick.
[0006] In one aspect, described herein is ball training device comprising an
elongated elastic
tether made of round shock cord, having a first end and a second end,
a) a ball connected to the first end of the tether, the ball being enclosed
by a holder
that comprises a plurality of straps that are affixed to the ball, the
plurality of straps
comprising at least two longitudinal straps, each longitudinal strap
encircling the ball
from a top apex to a bottom apex, said at least two straps overlapping at the
top apex and
at the bottom apex;
b) the first end of the tether being inserted under the overlapping at
least two
longitudinal straps at the top apex of the ball; and
c) an attachment means connected to the second end of the tether, for
attachment of
the second end of the tether to the wrist of a user, or to a lacrosse stick.
[0007] The plurality of straps may further comprise at least one transverse
strap encircling the
ball transverse to the longitudinal straps. In one embodiment the holder has
one transverse strap
that is affixed to the ball midway between the top apex and the bottom apex of
the ball.
[0008] In one embodiment the plurality of straps is affixed to the ball by
using glue. In one
embodiment the first end of the tether and/or the second end of the tether are
tied to the tether by
a self-tightening knot.
[0009] In one embodiment the longitudinal and transverse straps are made of a
flat woven
elastic. In one embodiment the attachment means is a wrist strap. In one
embodiment the
attachment means is an elastic element sized to attach to a lacrosse stick. In
one embodiment the
ball is a practice baseball or practice softball.
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[0010] In another aspect, described herein is a method of making a ball
training device
comprising the steps of:
a) preparing at least two circular longitudinal elastic straps,
each strap having a
diameter such that it needs to be. stretched to encircle a ball;
b) positioning a first strap of said at least two longitudinal straps on
the ball by
stretching it around the ball between a top and a bottom apex;
c) affixing the first strap to the ball;
d) positioning a second strap of said at least two longitudinal straps on
the ball by
stretching it around the ball between a top and a bottom apex;
e) affixing the second strap to the ball;
D inserting a first end of an elongated elastic tether made of
round shock cord
underneath the at least two longitudinal straps at the top apex, and tying
that first end of
the tether to the tether itself.
[0011] The method may further comprises the steps of:
a) preparing at least one transverse circular elastic strap, having a
diameter such that
it needs to be stretched to encircle the ball;
b) positioning the at least one transverse elastic strap on the
ball by stretching it
around the ball and over said at least two circular longitudinal elastic
straps at a right
angle thereto; and
c) affixing the at least one transverse elastic strap to the ball.
[0012] In one embodiment, the at least two circular longitudinal elastic
straps are made of
woven elastic. In one embodiment the at least one transverse longitudinal
elastic strap is made of
woven elastic. In one embodiment the affixing is by gluing, and in one
embodiment the glue is a
hot melt adhesive. In one embodiment the ball is a practice baseball or a
practice softball.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] Figure IA and 1B show an embodiment of the ball training device wherein
the tether is
attached to a user's wrist. Figure lA shows a top perspective view of the ball
in its holder
attached to the tether, and the wrist strap; Figure 1B shows a bottom
perspective view of the ball
in its holder.
[0014] Figure 2 is perspective view of an embodiment of the ball training
device wherein the
tether is attached to a lacrosse stick.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] The ball training device 10 comprises a ball 12, a tether 14 and
attachment means 16
for attaching the device to the wrist of a user or to a lacrosse stick.
[0016] More particularly, and as shown in the accompanying Figs. 1 and 2 the
device
comprises an elongated tether 14 having one end attached to the ball 12 and
the other end
attached to the attachment means 16. In Fig. 1, the attachment means is a
wrist strap and in Fig. 2
the attachment means is an elastic loop. The device avoids the use of metal
clips or attachments
at any point, being easy to manufacture ,and use.
[0017] The ball 12 is spherical, and is any type of ball which may be used in
a catch-and-throw
sport, such as a baseball, softball, lacrosse ball or cricket ball. The
lacrosse and cricket ball used
in the device is a standard game ball. However, the baseball or softball used
in the device is a
training ball as opposed to a ball that would be used in a game. Training
balls are softer than a
standard ball used during a game, which reduces the chance of injury during a
training session.
Because they are softer, they are typically more bouncy, leading to a better
training experience.
[0018] Typically the baseball has about a 9 inch circumference if a baseball
training ball, and a
12, 11 or 10 inch circumference if a softball training ball. Preferred as the
baseball training ball
is an Easton 9" practice ball which has raised seams, a high density foam
core and a synthetic
cover. Preferred as the softball training ball is a Protac 11" NCI1S NCAA
indoor/outdoor
practice ball which has raised seams and a soft poly core.
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[0019] The device described herein has a harness-type holder 18 which
encompasses and
confines the ball 12. The holder 18 comprises a plurality of co-ordinating
straps which are
affixed to the ball's surfaces, for example with glue. The co-ordinating
straps are broad and thin,
and have a minimal impact on the original shape of the ball. Because the ball
does not slip in the
holder, and because the holder 18 minimally impacts shape, practicing with the
ball provides a
realistic real-game experience.
[0020] At least two of the co-ordinating straps are longitudinal straps 20
that encircle the ball,
overlapping at the top 22 and bottom 24 apex of the ball. The at least two
longitudinal straps
therefore cross over one another at the top and bottom apex of the ball, and
are otherwise equally
and/or maximally spaced from one another (i.e., distributed evenly around the
ball).
[0021] The straps are affixed, as by glue, to the ball along almost all of
their entire lengths. At
the top apex 22 the straps overlap with one another but they are not affixed
to the ball, therefore
providing a space between themselves and the ball. This space allows for
insertion of one end of
the tether 14 therethrough, in order to attach the tether to the ball. In a
preferred embodiments,
three longitudinal straps 20 are used, as shown in Figures 1A, 1B and 2
herein. Because the
straps are affixed to the ball, they do not stretch as the ball is repeatedly
thrown and caught,
thereby increasing the durability of the device.
[0022] In some embodiments the holder 18 may additionally have at least one
transverse strap
28 wrapped around the ball transverse to the longitudinal straps (that is, at
a right angle to the
longitudinal straps). The at least one transverse strap is affixed to the
ball, as by gluing, and also
optionally to the longitudinal straps where it overlaps these straps. In a
preferred embodiment
shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the at least one transverse trap is glued to the ball
and to the longitudinal
straps about midway between the top and bottom apexes of the ball. In some
embodiments two
or more transverse straps 28 may be used.
[0023] In a preferred embodiment the longitudinal and transverse straps are
made from a flat
elastic, such as a braided, woven or knit elastic, made with polyester, nylon
or other material. In
one embodiment the elastic is B5-3/8" woven elastic, available for example
from PanCana
Enterprises Ltd. Before attachment to the ball, the elastic is cut to size and
the ends are
overlapped and stitched together as at 30. The straps are sized so that they
need to be stretched to
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encircle the ball. The straps are then stretched and positioned around the
ball, thus they are
thinner when positioned on the ball than they are in their un-expanded state.
[0024] The straps may be affixed to the ball, for example by gluing them to
the ball. In all
alternative embodiment the holder may be affixed to the ball by stitching it
to the ball. A
particularly preferred means of affixing the ball to the holder is to use a
glue, such as a hot melt
adhesive. This type of glue is commonly supplied in solid cylindrical sticks
of various diameters,
designed to be melted in an electric hot glue gun. The melted glue may be
pushed through the
gun by a mechanical trigger mechanism, or directly by the user. Hot melt
adhesives can also be
applied by dipping or spraying. Applicant has found that hot melt adhesives
are particularly
useful in enhancing the durability of the training device described herein,
avoiding separation of
the ball from the holder with repeated use as compared to other types of
glues. The glue may be
used along the entire length of the longitudinal straps, except at the top
apex, and along the entire
length of the transverse straps, or it may be applied only at sections of
these straps. One hot melt
glue useful herein is Ad Tech Pro Strength"' glue, available from Adhesive
Technologies, Inc.
[0025] The ball 12 may be affixed to the holder 18, by preparing at least two
circular elastic
longitudinal straps that have a diameter such that they need to be stretched
to encircle the ball.
The first longitudinal strap is positioned on the ball by stretching it around
the ball, and is affixed
to the ball, for example by gluing it to the ball with hot glue. A top apex of
the strap, where the
tether is to be attached, is not glued to the ball. The second longitudinal
strap is then positioned
on the ball by stretching it around the ball, and affixing it to the ball
(except at the top apex), and
optionally to the other longitudinal strap where there is overlap. This
process may be repeated
with a third or subsequent longitudinal strap.
[0026] If one or more transverse straps 28 is used, a circular elastic strap
that has a diameter
such that it needs to be stretched to encircle the ball is prepared. This
strap is positioned on the
ball by stretching it around the ball over the longitudinal straps, and is
affixed to the ball by
gluing it to the ball and optionally to the longitudinal straps where it
overlaps these straps. This
process may be repeated with a second or subsequent transverse strap.
[0027] Ball 12 is attached to one end of the tether 14 at the top apex 22 of
the ball. A single
point of attachment minimally interferes with the user's ability to grasp,
throw and otherwise
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handle the ball and maintains the ball in a state of balance and equilibrium
so that the ball
performs as much as possible as though it were free of the holder, providing a
realistic real-game
experience.
[0028] As shown in the drawings herein, tether 14 is attached to the ball by
slipping the end of
the tether underneath all of the overlapping longitudinal straps at the apex
and tying the end back
to tether itself with a knot 36. The knot used is a self-tightening knot, for
example an Arbour
knot or a Noose knot. Self-tightening knots tighten when pulled, therefore
each time the ball is
thrown and the tether is expanded beyond its resting length, the knot can
tighten. In this way,
even though the ball is attached to the tether via a knot, it does not become
detached by repeated
use of the device, but rather becomes even more firmly attached. This type of
attachment is
simple, yet very effective.
[0029] In the device herein the attachment point of the ball to the tether is
soft and malleable,
avoiding the use of hard components such as metal buckles or clasps that
injure the users hand
upon repeated contact therewith.
[0030] The tether 14 is an elongated and expandable elastic line or cord that
provides the
retrieving and rebounding effect needed in the instant device. The use of an
elastic tether is
advantageous because it provides recoil force to propel a ball towards the
user, to simulate a ball
that has been thrown to or batted at the user. In device 10, the tether is
round shock cord (also
known as stretchy paracord, bungee rope/cord, shock rope, elasticated
rope/cord). More
particularly, the tether is an elastic cord composed of one or more elastic
strands forming a core,
covered in a woven sheath (usually nylon or polyester). The sheath does not
extend elastically to
any significant extent, but is braided around the core so that a longitudinal
pull causes it to
squeeze the elastic core, transmitting the core's elastic compression to the
longitudinal extension
of the sheath and cord.
[0031] The shock cord has the extensibility, resilience, and tensile strength
needed such that at
the selected length, the throwing and catching of the ball will have the
characteristics or rebound
desired by the end user. Preferred for use herein is H2-3/32" round shock
cord. In other
embodiments the shock cord may be H2-1/8" round shock cord.
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[0032] The length of the tether will vary, depending upon the intended user
(children or adults)
and their level of skill (inexperienced or experienced).
[0033] The means 16 for attachment of the device to a wrist of a user may be a
wrist band 32,
as shown in Fig 1. The wrist band secures around the wrist of the user and may
be, as a non-
limiting example, a cloth (such as nylon) strap that is fastened by mating
VelcroTM surfaces on
either end that enable the wrist band to be easily secured, adjusted for
tightness to, and released
from the user's wrist. Snaps, buttons or other adjustment or fastening means
may be used. In
use, the wrist band may be secured about the wrist of the throwing hand or the
catching hand.
[0034] For attachment to a lacrosse stick, as shown in Fig. 2, the device
comprises an elastic
element 34 that securely fits around the shaft of the stick and is brought up
the shaft until it is
adjacent with the throat. The elastic element is circular and expandable so
that the end of tether
can be removed from the shaft, to allow the user to use the lacrosse stick in
a game. In one
embodiment the elastic is cut to size and the ends are overlapped and stitched
together as at 30.
[0035] As shown in the Figs. herein, tether 14 is attached to the attachment
means by wrapping
an end of the tether around the attachment means or part thereof (e.g., a loop
in the wrist band)
and then and tying the end of the tether back to the tether itself to form a
knot 38. The type of
knot used is, again, a self-tightening knot.
[0036] The length of the tether can be varied depending on the types of skills
that the end user
is trying to develop, and on the type of game that they are practicing for.
For a ball training
device used to practice baseball, two different exemplary embodiments are
described herein, one
with a long tether and one with a short tether.
[0037] The long tether embodiment is used when practicing skills related to
retrieving a ball
that has bounced off of the ground, and to practice different catching styles
(i.e., forehand,
backhand, running, etc.). Thus, after it is thrown, the ball attached to the
long tether will impact
the ground and bounce one or more times before it is caught by the user. For
this purpose a
practice baseball is used, as it is bouncier than a game ball and is therefore
better for practicing
ball retrieval skills from a ground return. In one embodiment the long tether
is an H2-3/32"
shock cord, with a length of about 5.5 ft., from the attachment means 16
(wrist strap) to the ball
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12, which is a practice ball. In this embodiment, the holder may comprise
three longitudinal
straps 20 and one transverse strap 28, made of B5-3/8" woven elastic (see
e.g., Fig. IA, 1B and
2).
[0038] On the other hand, the short tether provides a faster rebound and it is
designed so that
after it is thrown, rather than hitting the ground it remains in air and
returns to the user's hand. It
can also be thrown to the ground to simulate a bouncing ball. In one
embodiment the tether is an
H2-3/32" shock cord, with a length of about 3.5 ft., from the attachment means
16 (wrist strap)
to the ball 12. In this embodiment, the holder may again comprise three
longitudinal straps 20
and one transverse strap 28, made of B5-3/8" woven elastic, as shown in Fig.
IA and 1B herein.
[0039] A ball training device used to practice softball is designed to be used
to practice
underarm pitching and also to allow the ball to bounce of the ground, and
therefore to be useful
to work on ground returns. Again, a practice ball is used in this device as it
is bouncier than a
game ball. In one embodiment the tether is an H2-3/32" shock cord with a
length of about 5 ft.,
from the attachment means 16 (wrist strap) to the ball. In this embodiment,
the holder may
comprise three longitudinal straps 20 and one transverse strap 28, made of B5-
3/8" woven elastic
(see e.g., Fig. 1A, 1B and 2).
[0040] A ball training device used to practice lacrosse is designed to be
attached to the stick at
the throat. In one embodiment the tether is an H2-3/32" shock cord, with a
length of about 6.5 ft.,
from the attachment means 16 (elastic element) to the ball. In this
embodiment, the holder may
comprise three longitudinal straps 20 and one transverse strap 28, made of B5-
3/8" woven elastic
(see e.g., Fig. 1A,1B and 2).
[0041] The use of the ball training device for practicing baseball or softball
will now be
described. The wrist strap may be affixed to the wrist of the user's throwing
hand, and a glove
may be put on the other hand. The user will then throw the ball in one of many
different
directions ¨ straight ahead, upwards, downwards, and sideways ¨ and even be
directed to the
ground, or for softball, an underhand pitch. The force of the throw will cause
the ball to stretch
the tether until it is elastically stressed enough to counteract the force of
the ball, at which point
the ball returns back to the user, often in the immediate vicinity of the
user. The user may have to
reposition their hand or their feet, and may have to adjust body position in
order to catch the ball.
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This cycle can be repeated, enabling the user to enhance their reflexes, hand-
eye- foot
coordination, and otherwise improve the skills needed to play baseball or
softball.
[0042] While the ball training device has been described in conjunction with
the disclosed
embodiments and examples which are set forth in detail, it should be
understood that this is by
illustration only. The scope of the claims should not be limited to the
preferred embodiments but
should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as
a whole.
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