Basketball shot training device

Abstract

A basketball shot training device including a platform having a lower surface and an upper surface. The lower surface is positionable on a flat recipient surface. The upper surface receives a practicing player's feet thereon in a standing orientation. A tether is provided having a first end and a second end. The first end is adjustably secured to the platform. A glove is coupled with the second end of the tether. The glove has an opening therein for receiving a hand of the practicing player therein. A sensor is coupled with respect to the glove. The sensor is programmed to monitor a proper shooting motion of the hand of the practicing player when positioned within the glove.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a basketball shot training device and more particularly pertains to teaching and monitoring the proper basketball shooting technique.

[0002] The use of sports training devices is known in the prior art. More specifically, sports training devices heretofore devised and utilized for the purpose of learning the proper techniques in sports are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art that have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.

[0003] By way of example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,581,312 to Nickels discloses a basketball training glove, with a foam member incorporated for preventing a player from using his palm. U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,275 to Cazares discloses a gripping glove.

[0004] While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not describe a basketball shot training device for teaching and monitoring the proper basketball shooting technique.

[0005] In this respect, the basketball shot training device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in doing so provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of teaching and monitoring the proper basketball shooting technique.

[0006] Therefore, it can be appreciated that there exists a continuing need for a new and improved basketball shot training device that can be used for teaching and monitoring the proper basketball shooting technique. In this regard, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In the view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of sports training devices now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved basketball shot training device. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved basketball shot training device that has all the advantages of the prior art and none of the disadvantages.

[0008] To attain this, the present invention essentially comprises a platform having a generally rectangular configuration. The platform has a lower surface and an upper surface. The lower surface is positionable on a flat recipient surface. The upper surface receives a practicing player's feet thereon in a standing orientation. A tether is provided having a first end and a second end. The first end is adjustably secured to the platform. A glove is coupled with the second end of the tether. The glove has an opening therein for receiving a hand of the practicing player therein. A sensor is coupled with respect to the glove. The sensor is programmed to monitor a proper shooting motion of the hand of the practicing player when positioned within the glove. A display is coupled with respect to the platform. The display is in communication with the sensor for displaying a number of proper shooting motions of the practicing player.

[0009] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[0010] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0011] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved basketball shot training device that has all the advantages of the prior art sports training devices and none of the disadvantages.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved basketball shot training device that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new and improved basketball shot training device that is of durable and reliable construction.

[0015] An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved basketball shot training device that is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such a basketball shot training device economically available to the buying public.

[0016] Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved basketball shot training device for teaching and monitoring the proper basketball shooting technique.

[0017] Lastly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved basketball shot training device including a platform having a lower surface and an upper surface. The lower surface is positionable on a flat recipient surface. The upper surface receives a practicing player's feet thereon in a standing orientation. A tether is provided having a first end and a second end. The first end is adjustably secured to the platform. A glove is coupled with the second end of the tether. The glove has an opening therein for receiving a hand of the practicing player therein. A sensor is coupled with respect to the glove. The sensor is programmed to monitor a proper shooting motion of the hand of the practicing player when positioned within the glove.

[0018] These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the basketball shot training device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrating the display thereof.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention illustrated in use.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the glove of the present invention.

[0025] The same reference numerals refer to the same parts through the various figures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0026] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to figures one through five thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved basketball shot training device embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.

[0027] Specifically, it will be noted in the various figures that the device relates to a basketball shot training device for teaching and monitoring the proper basketball shooting technique. In its broadest context, the device consists of a platform, a tether, a glove, a sensor, and a display. Such components are individually configured and correlated with respect to each other so as to attain the desired objective.

[0028] The platform 12 has a generally rectangular configuration. The platform 12 has a lower surface 14 and an upper surface 16. The lower surface 14 is positionable on a flat recipient surface. The upper surface 16 receives a practicing player's 18 feet 20 thereon in a standing orientation. Note FIG. 3. The upper surface 16 could also be provided with grooves 22 or the like that will allow the player 18 to comfortably stand thereon.

[0029] The tether 24 has a first end 26 and a second end 28. The first end 26 is adjustably secured to the platform 12. The upper surface 16 of the platform 12 is provided with a recess 30 therein for receiving the first end 26. The recess 30 can also house an adjustment wheel or the like that will allow the tether 24 to be lengthened and shortened as needed.

[0030] The glove 32 is coupled with the second end 28 of the tether 24. The glove 32 has an opening therein for receiving a hand of the practicing player 20 therein. The glove 32 will be positionable on the hand of the practicing player 20 so as to hold a basketball 34 in a proper positioning.

[0031] The sensor 36 is coupled with respect to the glove 32. The sensor 36 is preferably positioned on a palm section of the glove 32. The sensor 36 is programmed to monitor a proper shooting motion of the hand of the practicing player 20 when positioned within the glove 32. The proper shooting motion begins with the player 20 having their shooting hand on the basketball 34 whereby their palm is not in contact with the basketball.

[0032] The display 38 is coupled with respect to the platform 12. The display 38 is in communication with the sensor 36 for displaying a number of proper shooting motions of the practicing player 20. In the preferred embodiment, the display 38 is essentially embedded in a side of the platform 12. The display 38 will allow the player 20 to note the number of attempts they have made as compared with the number of attempts for the proper shooting motion where the sensor 36 does not contact the basketball 34 during the motion.

[0033] A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 4 and includes substantially all of the components of the present invention wherein the display 38 is separate from the platform 12 so that it can be easily positioned for easy viewing by the player 20.

[0034] As to the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

[0035] With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

[0036] Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A basketball shot training device for teaching and monitoring the proper basketball shooting technique comprising, in combination:

a platform having a generally rectangular configuration, the platform having a lower surface and an upper surface, the lower surface being positionable on a flat recipient surface, the upper surface receiving a practicing player's feet thereon in a standing orientation;

a tether having a first end and a second end, the first end being adjustably secured to the platform;

a glove coupled with the second end of the tether, the glove having an opening therein for receiving a hand of the practicing player therein;

a sensor coupled with respect to the glove, the sensor being programmed to monitor a proper shooting motion of the hand of the practicing player when positioned within the glove; and

a display coupled with respect to the platform, the display being in communication with the sensor for displaying a number of proper shooting motions of the practicing player.

2. A basketball shot training device for teaching and monitoring the proper basketball shooting technique comprising, in combination:

a platform having a lower surface and an upper surface, the lower surface being positionable on a flat recipient surface, the upper surface receiving a practicing player's feet thereon in a standing orientation;

a tether having a first end and a second end, the first end being adjustably secured to the platform;

a glove coupled with the second end of the tether, the glove having an opening therein for receiving a hand of the practicing player therein; and

a sensor coupled with respect to the glove, the sensor being programmed to monitor a proper shooting motion of the hand of the practicing player when positioned within the glove.

3. The basketball shot training device as set forth in claim two, and further including a display coupled with respect to the platform, the display being in communication with the sensor for displaying a number of proper shooting motions of the practicing player.

4. The basketball shot training device as set forth in claim three wherein the display is disposed within a side edge of the platform.

5. The basketball shot training device as set forth in claim three wherein the display is separate from the platform for positioning in a desired location.