BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention
There are many types of sports where practicing hitting involves striking a ball/ball-like object/puck with extreme force. The present invention primarily relates to a sports device with which players can practice their swings in golf. The present invention can also quite easily be utilised in the sport of both ice hockey and field hockey. With this present invention, the ball/ball-like object/puck is attached to the sports device which can be used indoors or outdoors regardless of the surface; with the hitter being able to predict the trajectory the ball/ball-like object/puck would have taken after being hit; and by the number of times the ball/ball-like object/puck rotates, how powerful the swing was.
2. Description of Prior Art
Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. In sports such as golf and hockey beginners seek to learn to swing, non-beginners strive to perfect their swings. In practicing hitting in golf and hockey, it is most helpful for elderly players if they do not have to constantly bend down to position the ball/ball-like object/puck. For beginners it is very desired if they can maximise the number of swings in a given period of time. For serious players, they would like to maintain their swings. Various hitting practice devices have been developed over the years. Golf prior art relevant to the present invention are U.S. Pat. No. 1,091,985 to Thompson et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,643,961 to Schroeder; U.S. Pat. No. 2,641,933 to Van Kinkle; U.S. Pat. No. 1,690,158 to Currie; U.S. Pat. No. U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,503 to Nishazawa; U.S. Pat. No. 2,017,661 to Johanson; U.S. Pat. No. 4,023,809 to Newton; U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,741,536 and 4,955,612 to Tai. The commonality of the present invention with prior art quoted is they seek to allow the player to practice in a small space by having the ball/ball-like object/puck attached to an arm which rotates around the upright member of a base. The present invention diverges from such prior art most importantly in the following ways: (1) With the present invention, the method of relieving stress on the arm when the ball/ball-like object/puck is hit is to have the arm itself hollow and in a substantially horizontal position in hitting practice mode, housing a plurality of elastic members conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck. When the ball/ball-like object/puck is hit, the stress is transferred to the plurality of elastic members instead of the arm. (2) Paramount in the design and usage of the present invention is safety. A plurality of safety members also conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck acts as a safety should the arm break or the plurality of elastic members break or the ball/ball-like object/puck is no longer conjoined to the plurality of elastic members. (3) Should the arm itself break it is very simple to replace it. (4) The upright member of the base is subjected to serious centrifugal forces. Should it bend, it is very simple to replace it. Altogether, these four factors contribute to the safety and longevity of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The objective of the present invention is to provide a sports device that can be used to practice hitting in golf and hockey without the need for a net.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a sports device with which the hitter does not have to constantly bend to position the ball/ball-like object/puck when practicing hitting in golf and hockey.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a sports device which can withstand the extreme forces applied when practicing hitting in golf and hockey.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a sports device with which any broken part can easily be replaced.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a sports device that can be used equally indoors and outdoors by both right handed and left handed players to practice hitting in golf and hockey with the sports device being portable and collapsible.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a sports device that can be used to practice hitting with the ball/ball-like object/puck placed stationary at any one time among a plurality of positions.
The design of the present invention achieves these objectives by departing from prior art devices as follows. In the present sports device, the ball/ball-like object/puck is conjoined to a plurality of elastic members housed in an arm member which is mounted in a substantially horizontal position on a base in hitting practice mode. A plurality of safety members also conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck acts as a safety. When hit, the ball/ball-like object/puck rotates around an upright member of the base. The height of the ball/ball-like object/puck is easily adjusted by a plurality of height adjusting members. Finally, the ball/ball-like object /puck can be in a plurality of positions prior to hitting.
Furthermore, it is an object of this application to illustrate the preferred embodiments and to broadly state the methodologies that may be used with this sports device to practice hitting.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referring to the attached drawings which form part of this original disclosure:
FIG. 1 is a Perspective view of the components that comprise the embodiment of the present invention used in practicing hitting in golf;
FIG. 2a is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object/puck positioned at an end of the arm member; FIG. 2b is a Top view of the preferred embodiment of the arm member;
FIG. 3 is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the first section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member;
FIG. 4 is a Perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object positioned at an end of the arm member,
FIG. 4a is an exploded view of the first end of the preferred embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member, FIG. 4b is an exploded view of the second end of the preferred embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member, FIG. 4c is a perspective view of the connecting member of the first section and the second section;
FIG. 5 is a Perspective view of a second embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object positioned at an end of the arm member, FIG. 5a is an exploded view of the first end of the second embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member, FIG. 5b is an exploded view of the second end of the second embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member, FIG. 4c is a perspective view of the connecting member of the first section and the second section;
FIG. 6 is a Perspective view of a third embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object positioned at an end of the arm member, FIG. 6a is an exploded view of the first end of the third embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member, FIG. 6b is an exploded view of the second end of the third embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member, FIG. 6c is a perspective view of the connecting member of the first section and the second section;
FIG. 7 is a Perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object positioned at an end of the arm member, FIG. 7a is an exploded view of the first end of the fourth embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member, FIG. 7b is an exploded view of the second end of the fourth embodiment of the second section of the preferred embodiment of the arm member, FIG. 7c is a perspective view of the connecting member of the first section and the second section ;
FIG. 8 is a Perspective view of a second embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object positioned at an end of the arm member, FIG. 8a is an exploded view of the first end of the second embodiment of the arm member, FIG. 8b is an exploded view of the second end of the second embodiment of the arm member;
FIG. 9 is a Perspective view of a third embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object positioned at an end of the arm member, FIG. 9a is an exploded view of the first end of the third embodiment of the arm member, FIG. 9b is an exploded view of the second end of the third embodiment of the arm member;
FIG. 10 is a Perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the arm member with the ball/ball-like object positioned at an end of the arm member, FIG. 10a is an exploded view of the first end of the fourth embodiment of the arm member, FIG. 10b is an exploded view of the second end of the fourth embodiment of the arm member;
FIG. 11 is a Perspective view of the base of the present invention used in practicing golf;
FIG. 12a is a Perspective view of the height adjusting member; FIG. 12b is a Perspective view of the height adjusting member with a disc; FIG. 12c is a Perspective view of the height adjusting member with a ring; and
FIG. 13 is a Perspective view of the components that comprise the embodiment of the present invention used to practice hitting in hockey.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring first to FIG. 1, therein is shown, in hitting practice mode, a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the sports device 10 used to practice hitting in golf, the sports device 10 comprising an arm member 15 at the end of which is positioned a ball/ball-like object/puck 50. The arm member 15 is mounted on the base 60 and as disclosed herein is detachable from the base 60 and is easily mounted on any type of base, whether stationary or portable.
Referring first to FIG. 2a, therein is shown the perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the arm member 15, the preferred embodiment being multi-sectional comprising a first section 20 and a second section 30. A ball/ball-like object/puck 50 is positioned at an end of the arm member 15. FIG. 2b shows the top view of the preferred embodiment of the arm member 15.
Referring to FIG. 3, therein is shown the perspective view of the first section 20 of the preferred embodiment of the arm member 15. The cross section of the first section 20 can be of any geometrical shape. However, the preferred embodiment has a upper and a lower longitudinal face 21, 21′, and a first and a second lateral face 22, 22′, and a first end 23 and a second end 23′. A recess 24 runs substantially symmetrical through the longitudinal axis of the first section 20, opening in the longitudinal faces 21, 21′ and opening in the first end 23. A hole 25 in substantially the longitudinal axis of the first section 20, opening in the upper and lower longitudinal faces 21 and 21′, and located in the proximity of the closed end of the recess 24 allows the multi-sectional arm member 15 to be secured rotatably and substantially horizontal around an upright member of the base in hitting practice mode, and to rotate clockwise and counter clockwise around the upright member, and also to move up and down the upright member. Substantially concentric and congruent holes 26a and 26b, with the hole 26a opening in and substantially perpendicular to the lateral face 22 and ending in the recess 24; and the hole 26b opening in and substantially perpendicular to the lateral face 22′ and ending in the recess 24 facilitate the connection between the first section 20 and the second section 30. Substantially concentric and congruent holes 27a and 27b, with the hole 27a opening in and substantially perpendicular to the lateral face 22 and ending in the recess 24, and the hole 27b opening in and substantially perpendicular to the lateral face 22′ and ending in the recess 24 house a support member 28 (not shown), with the support member 28 running substantially perpendicular to the first and second lateral faces 22, 22′ of the first section 20 of the multi-section arm member 15 and spanning the recess 24. In hitting practice mode, the second section 30 of the multi-section arm member 15 resides over the support member 28 positioning the second section 30 substantially horizontally. The support member 28 can be a bolt secured by a nut. It can equally be a length of flexible material such as surgical tubing. A suitable material for the first section 20 of the multi-section arm member 15 to be made of is teflon as it is light, strong and will not rust.
The preferred embodiment of the second section 30 of the preferred embodiment of the multi-section arm member 15 is shown in FIG. 4 and is comprised of a hollow shaft 31. Exploded view of the first end is shown in FIG. 4a. Exploded view of the second end is shown in FIG. 4b. The hollow shaft 31 has a first end 31a and a second end 31b. Riding over the hollow shaft 31 in the proximity of the first end 31a is the connection member 33 which connects the first section 20 and the second section 30. The cross section of the connection member 33 can be of any geometrical shape. As shown in FIG. 4c, the preferred embodiment of the connection member 33 has a first and a second longitudinal face 34, 34′, and a first and a second lateral face 35, 35′, and an upper face 36 and a lower face 36′. The width of the longitudinal faces 34 and 34′ is less than the width of the recess 24 of the first section 20 of the multi-section arm member 15. A hole 37 opening substantially perpendicular to and in substantially the centre of the longitudinal faces 34, 34′ has a diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the hollow shaft 31 so allowing the hollow shaft 31 to rotate clockwise or counter clockwise and also move forwards and backwards relative to the hole 37, forwards and backwards movement being constrained by stoppers 38 and 39 which are affixed to the hollow shaft 31 on either side of the connecting member 33. The outer diameter of the stoppers 38 and 39 is greater than the diameter of the hole 37 so preventing the hollow shaft 31 from slipping out of the connection member 33. The stopper 39 also prevents the first end 31a of the hollow shaft 31 from coming into contact with the upright member to which the multi-section arm member 15 is secured rotatably in hitting practice mode, when the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 moves towards the first section 20. A hole 40 opens in the lateral faces 35, 35′ to which it is substantially perpendicular. The first section 20 and the second section 30 are hinged together by a pivotal member 41 passing thru the substantially concentric and congruent holes 26a and 26b in the first section 20 and the hole 40 thru the lateral faces 35, 35′. The hollow shaft 31 can rotate freely within the recess 24 around the pivotal member 41. The pivotal member can be a bolt secured by a nut. In this embodiment a ball/ball-like object/puck 50 is positioned abutting the second end 31b of the hollow shaft 31 by a plurality of elastic members 51 conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck 50, the plurality of elastic members 51 drawn taut thru the hollow shaft 31 and secured at the first end 31a of the hollow shaft 31 by being threaded thru the aperture of a restraining member 53 that is contiguous to the first end 31a of the hollow shaft 31, then, knotted. The knot 52 of the plurality of elastic members 51 is greater than the aperture of the restraining member 53. The outer diameter of the restraining member 53 is greater than the outer diameter of the hollow shaft 31. A plurality of safety members 54, also conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 and drawn thru the hollow shaft 31, is also secured at the first end 31a of the hollow shaft 31 by being threaded thru the aperture of the restraining member 53, then, knotted. The knot 55 of the plurality of safety members 54 is greater than the aperture of the restraining member 53. The plurality of safety members 54 is long enough so as not to constrict expansion of the plurality of elastic members 51. In the event the plurality of elastic members 51 breaks or the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 releases from the plurality of elastic members 51, the plurality of safety members 54 will prevent the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 from causing an injury. The inner diameter of the hollow shaft 31 is great enough to allow the plurality of elastic members 51 and the plurality of safety members 54 to move freely.
The second embodiment of the second section 30 of the preferred embodiment of the arm member 15 is shown in FIG. 5 and is comprised of a first hollow shaft 31 and a second hollow shaft 32. Exploded view of the first end is shown in FIG. 5a. Exploded view of the second end is shown in FIG. 5b. The first hollow shaft 31 has a first end 31a and a second end 31b. The second hollow shaft 32 has a first end 32a and a second end 32b. The second hollow shaft 32 resides within the first hollow shaft 31. Riding over the first hollow shaft 31 in the proximity of the first end 31a is the connection member 33 which connects the first section 20 and the second section 30. The cross section of the connection member 33 can be of any geometrical shape. As shown in FIG. 5c, the preferred embodiment of the connection member 33 has a first and a second longitudinal face 34, 34′, and a first and a second lateral face 35, 35′, and an upper face 36 and a lower face 36′. The width of the longitudinal faces 34 and 34′ is less than the width of the recess 24 of the first section 20 of the multi-section arm member 15. A hole 37 opening substantially perpendicular to and in substantially the centre of the longitudinal faces 34, 34′ has a diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the first hollow shaft 31 so allowing the first hollow shaft 31 to rotate clockwise or counter clockwise and also move forwards and backwards relative to the hole 37, forwards and backwards movement being constrained by stoppers 38 and 39 which are affixed to the first hollow shaft 31 on either side of the connecting member 33. The outer diameter of the stoppers 38 and 39 is greater than the diameter of the hole 37 so preventing the first hollow shaft 31 from slipping out of the connection member 33. The stopper 39 also prevents the first end 31a of the first hollow shaft 31 from coming into contact with the upright member to which the multi-section arm member 15 is secured rotatably in hitting practice mode, when the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 moves towards the first section 20. A hole 40 opens in the lateral faces 35, 35′ to which it is substantially perpendicular. The first section 20 and the second section 30 are hinged together by a pivotal member 41 passing thru the substantially concentric and congruent holes 26a and 26b in the first section 20 and the hole 40 thru the lateral faces 35, 35′. The first hollow shaft 31 and second hollow shaft 32 can rotate freely within the recess 24 around the pivotal member 41. The pivotal member can be a bolt secured by a nut. In this embodiment a ball/ball-like object/puck 50 is positioned abutting the second end 31b of the first hollow shaft 31 by a plurality of elastic members 51 conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck 50, the plurality of elastic members 51 drawn taut thru the second hollow shaft 32 and secured at the first end 31a of the first hollow shaft 31 by being threaded thru the aperture of a restraining member 53 that is contiguous to the first end 31a of the first hollow shaft 31, then, knotted. The knot 52 of the plurality of elastic members 51 is greater than the aperture of the restraining member 53. The outer diameter of the restraining member 53 is greater than the outer diameter of the first hollow shaft 31. A plurality of safety members 54, also conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 and drawn thru the second hollow shaft 32, is also secured at the first end 31a of the first hollow shaft 31 by being threaded thru the aperture of the restraining member 53, then, knotted. The knot 55 of the plurality of safety members 54 is greater than the aperture of the restraining member 53. The plurality of safety members 54 is long enough so as not to constrict expansion of the plurality of elastic members 51. In the event the plurality of elastic members 51 breaks or the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 releases from the plurality of elastic members 51, the plurality of safety members 54 will prevent the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 from causing an injury. The inner diameter of the first hollow shaft 31 is greater than the outer diameter of the second hollow shaft 32 thus allowing the second hollow shaft 32 to move freely within the first hollow shaft 31. The inner diameter of the second hollow shaft 32 is great enough to allow the plurality of elastic members 51 and the plurality of safety members 54 to move freely.
The third embodiment of the second section 30 of the preferred embodiment of the arm member 15 is shown in FIG. 6 and is comprised of a solid shaft 31. Exploded view of the first end is shown in FIG. 6a. Exploded view of the second end is shown in FIG. 6b. The solid shaft 31 has a first end 31a and a second end 31b. Within the solid shaft 31 is a plurality of safety members 54. Riding over the solid shaft 31 in the proximity of the first end 31a is the connection member 33 which connects the first section 20 and the second section 30. The cross section of the connection member 33 can be of any geometrical shape. As shown in FIG. 6c, the preferred embodiment of the connection member 33 has a first and a second longitudinal face 34, 34′, and a first and a second lateral face 35, 35′, and an upper face 36 and a lower face 36′. The width of the longitudinal faces 34 and 34′ is less than the width of the recess 24 of the first section 20 of the multi-section arm member 15. A hole 37 opening substantially perpendicular to and in substantially the centre of the longitudinal faces 34, 34′ has a diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the solid shaft 31 so allowing the solid shaft 31 to rotate clockwise or counter clockwise and also move forwards and backwards relative to the hole 37, forwards and backwards movement being constrained by stoppers 38 and 39 which are affixed to the solid shaft 31 on either side of the connecting member 33. The outer diameter of the stoppers 38 and 39 is greater than the diameter of the hole 37 so preventing the solid shaft 31 from slipping out of the connection member 33. The stopper 39 also prevents the first end 31a of the solid shaft 31 from coming into contact with the upright member of the base to which the multi-section arm member 15 is secured rotatably in hitting practice mode, when the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 moves towards the first section 20. A hole 40 opens in the lateral faces 35, 35′ to which it is substantially perpendicular. The first section 20 and the second section 30 are hinged together by a pivotal member 41 passing the substantially concentric and congruent holes 26a and 26b in the first section 20 and the hole 40 thru the lateral faces 35, 35′. The solid shaft 31 can rotate freely within the recess 24 around the pivotal member 41. The pivotal member can be a bolt secured by a nut. In this embodiment the second end 31b of the solid shaft 31 is affixed within a ball/ball-like object/puck 50.
The fourth embodiment of the second section 30 of the preferred embodiment of the arm member 15 is shown in FIG. 7 and is comprised of a first hollow shaft 31 and a second hollow shaft 32. Exploded view of the first end is shown in FIG. 7a. Exploded view of the second end is shown in FIG. 7b. The first hollow shaft 31 has a first end 31a and a second end 31b. The second hollow shaft 32 has a first end 32a and a second end 32b. The first hollow shaft 31 resides over the second hollow shaft 32. Riding over the second hollow shaft 32 in the proximity of the first end 32a is the connection member 33 which connects the first section 20 and the second section 30. The cross section of the connection member 33 can be of any geometrical shape. As shown in FIG. 7c, the preferred embodiment has a first and a second longitudinal face 34, 34′, and a first and a second lateral face 35, 35′, and an upper face 36 and a lower face 36′. The width of the longitudinal faces 34 and 34′ is less than the width of the recess 24 of the first section 20 of the multi-section arm member 15. A hole 37 opening substantially perpendicular to and in substantially the centre of the longitudinal faces 34, 34′ has a diameter that is greater than the outer diameter of the second hollow shaft 32 so allowing the second hollow shaft 32 to rotate clockwise or counter clockwise and also move forwards and backwards relative to the hole 37, forwards and backwards movement being constrained by stoppers 38 and 39 which are affixed to the second hollow shaft 32 on either side of the connecting member 33. The outer diameter of the stoppers 38 and 39 is greater than the diameter of the hole 37 so preventing the second hollow shaft 32 from slipping out of the connection member 33. The stopper 39 also prevents the first end 32a of the second hollow shaft 32 from coming into contact with the upright member of the base to which the multi-section arm member 15 is secured rotatably in hitting practice mode, when the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 moves towards the first section 20. A hole 40 opens in the lateral faces 35, 35′ to which it is substantially perpendicular. The first section 20 and the second section 30 are hinged together by a pivotal member 41 passing thru the substantially concentric and congruent holes 26a and 26b in the first section 20 and the hole 40 thru the lateral faces 35, 35′. The first hollow shaft 31 and second hollow shaft 32 can rotate freely within the recess 24 around the pivotal member 41. The pivotal member can be a bolt secured by a nut. In this embodiment a ball/ball-like object/puck 50 is positioned abutting the second end 32b of the second hollow shaft 32, with the second end 31b of the first hollow shaft 31 within said ball/ball-like object/puck 50, by a plurality of elastic members 51 conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck 50, the plurality of elastic members 51 drawn taut thru the second hollow shaft 32 and secured at the first end 32a of the second hollow shaft 32 by being threaded thru the aperture of a restraining member 53 that is contiguous to the first end 32a of the second hollow shaft 32, then, knotted. The knot 52 of the plurality of elastic members 51 is greater than the aperture of the restraining member 53. The outer diameter of the restraining member 53 is greater than the outer diameter of the second hollow shaft 32. A plurality of safety members 54, also conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 and drawn thru the second hollow shaft 32, is also secured at the first end 32a of the second hollow shaft 32 by being threaded thru the aperture of the restraining member 53, then, knotted. The knot 55 of the plurality of safety members 54 is greater than the aperture of the restraining member 53. The plurality of safety members 54 is long enough so as not to constrict expansion of the plurality of elastic members 51. In the event the plurality of elastic members 51 breaks or the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 releases from the plurality of elastic members 51, the plurality of safety members 54 will prevent the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 from causing an injury. The inner diameter of the first hollow shaft 31 is greater than the outer diameter of the second hollow shaft 32 thus allowing the second hollow shaft 32 to move freely within the first hollow shaft 31. The inner diameter of the second hollow shaft 32 is great enough to allow the plurality of elastic members 51 and the plurality of safety members 54 to move freely.
The second embodiment of the arm member 15 is shown in FIG. 8 and is comprised of a hollow shaft 31. Exploded view of the first end is shown in FIG. 8a. Exploded view of the second end is shown in FIG. 8b. The hollow shaft 31 has a first end 31a and a second end 31b. A hole 56 in the proximity of the first end 31a of the hollow shaft 31 allows the arm member 15 to be secured rotatably to an upright member of a base in hitting practice, and to rotate clockwise and counter clockwise around the upright member and also to move up and down the upright member. In this embodiment a ball/ball-like object/puck 50 is positioned abutting the second end 31b of the hollow shaft 31 by a plurality of elastic members 51 conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck 50, the plurality of elastic members 51 drawn taut thru the hollow shaft 31 and secured at the first end 31a of the hollow shaft 31 by being threaded thru the aperture of a restraining member 53 that is contiguous to the first end 31a of the hollow shaft 31, then, knotted. The knot 52 of the plurality of elastic members 51 is greater than the aperture of the restraining member 53. The outer diameter of the restraining member 53 is greater than the outer diameter of the hollow shaft 31. A plurality of safety members 54, also conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 and drawn thru the hollow shaft 31, is also secured at the first end 31a of the hollow shaft 31 by being threaded thru the aperture of the restraining member 53, then, knotted. The knot 55 of the plurality of safety members 54 is greater than the aperture of the restraining member 53. The plurality of safety members 54 is long enough so as not to constrict expansion of the plurality of elastic members 51. In the event the plurality of elastic members 51 breaks or the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 releases from the plurality of elastic members 51, the plurality of safety members 54 will prevent the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 from causing an injury. The inner diameter of the hollow shaft 31 is great enough to allow the plurality of elastic members 51 and the plurality of safety members 54 to move freely.
The third embodiment of the arm member 15 is shown in FIG. 9 and is comprised of a first hollow shaft 31 and a second hollow shaft 32. Exploded view of the first end is shown in FIG. 9a. Exploded view of the second end is shown in FIG. 9b. The first hollow shaft 31 has a first end 31a and a second end 31b. The second hollow shaft 32 has a first end 32a and a second end 32b. The second hollow shaft 32 resides within the first hollow shaft 31. The inner diameter of the first hollow shaft 31 is greater than the outer diameter of the second hollow shaft 32 thus allowing the second hollow shaft 32 to move freely within the first hollow shaft 31. A hole 56 in the proximity of the first end 31a of the hollow shaft 31 allows the arm member 15 to be secured rotatably to an upright member of a base in hitting practice, and to rotate clockwise and counter clockwise around the upright member and also to move up and down the upright member. The hole 56 does not penetrate the second hollow shaft 32 so enabling the second hollow shaft 32 to move unrestricted within the first hollow shaft 31. In this embodiment a ball/ball-like object/puck 50 is positioned abutting the second end 31b of the first hollow shaft 31 by a plurality of elastic members 51 conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck 50, the plurality of elastic members 51 drawn taut thru the second hollow shaft 32 and secured at the first end 31a of the first hollow shaft 31 by being threaded thru the aperture of a restraining member 53 that is contiguous to the first end 31a of the first hollow shaft 31, then, knotted. The knot 52 of the plurality of elastic members 51 is greater than the aperture of the restraining member 53. The outer diameter of the restraining member 53 is greater than the outer diameter of the first hollow shaft 31. A plurality of safety members 54, also conjoined to the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 and drawn thru the second hollow shaft 32, is also secured at the first end 31a of the first hollow shaft 31 by being threaded thru the aperture of the restraining member 53, then, knotted. The knot 55 of the plurality of safety members 54 is greater than the aperture of the restraining member 53. The plurality of safety members 54 is long enough so as not to constrict expansion of the plurality of elastic members 51. In the event the plurality of elastic members 51 breaks or the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 releases from the plurality of elastic members 51, the plurality of safety members 54 will prevent the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 from causing an injury. The inner diameter of the second hollow shaft 32 is great enough to allow the plurality of elastic members 51 and the plurality of safety members 54 to move freely.
The fourth embodiment of the arm member 15 is shown in FIG. 10 and is comprised of a solid shaft 31. Exploded view of the first end is shown in FIG. 10a. Exploded view of the second end is shown in FIG. 10b. The solid shaft 31 has a first end 31a and a second end 31b. Within the solid shaft 31 is a plurality of safety members 54. A hole 56 in the proximity of the first end 31a of the solid shaft 31 allows the arm member 15 to be secured rotatably to an upright member of a base in hitting practice, and to rotate clockwise and counter clockwise around the upright member and also to move up and down the upright member. In this embodiment the second end 31b of the solid shaft 31 is affixed within a ball/ball-like object/puck 50.
Rubber is a suitable material for both shafts 31 and 32 as it is flexible and has great tensile strength. A suitable material for the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 to be made of is polyurethane which has rubber-like properties. However, there are other materials that will equally fit the specification. The plurality of elastic members 51 can either be bungee cords or surgical tubings. The plurality of safety members 54 can be polyurethane cords. The plurality of safety members 54 can equally be of material that is strong and elastic in nature. The preferred manner of conjoining the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 with plurality of elastic members 51 and the plurality of safety members 54 is to mould the plurality of elastic members 51 and the plurality of safety members 54 to the ball/ball-like object/puck 50. The parts of both the plurality of elastic members 51 and the plurality of safety members 54 within the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 are splayed to ensure greater adhesion of the plurality of elastic members 51 and the plurality of safety members 54 to the ball/ball-like object/puck 50. The pivotal member 41 is a bolt and a nut and is removable. In the event the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 is damaged, or the plurality of elastic members 51 is broken, or the second section 30 is damaged, or the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 releases from the plurality of safety members 54, the second section 30 together with the ball/ball-like object/puck 50 positioned at the second end of the second section 30 can be replaced.
FIG. 11 shows the base member 60 used in practicing golf, with the base member 60 comprised of a plate member 61, an upright member 62, a plurality of wing members 63, a plurality of spike members 64 (not shown), a plurality of weight members 65 (not shown) and a plurality of height adjustment members 66. All or substantially all of the boundary of the plate member 61 is within the circumference of a circle whose radius is the length of the arm member 15 and whose centre is the upright member 62. In substantially the centre of the plate member 61 is the upright member 62. The upright member 62 is first welded substantially perpendicular to a metal plate member 67. Thru a hole 68 in substantially the centre of the plate member 61 the upright member 62 is inserted. The metal plate member 67 is bolted contiguously to the plate member 61 by a plurality of bolts 69. This allows for the upright member 62 together with the metal plate member 67 to be replaced as over time the centrifugal force exerted to the upright member 62 may bend it. The top of the upright member 62 is threaded and has a locking mechanism 70. At the corners of the lower face of the plate member 61 the plurality of wing members 63 is fastened rotatably by a plurality of rivets 72. At substantially the end of each wing members 63 is a hole 71. In hitting practice mode the plurality of wing members 63 is rotated away from the plate member 61. Outdoors the wing members 63 are spiked thru the holes 71 by a plurality of spike members 64 (not shown) to the surface the hitter stands on to immobilise the plate member 61. Indoors the wing members 63 are weighted a plurality of weight members 65 (not shown) to the surface the hitter stands on to immobilise the plate member 61. An ideal material for the plate member 61 is plastic as it will not rust. However, depending on the type of plastic used, the plastic base may warp when the weather is hot. As such, the lower sides of the base may have to be trimmed with metal strips. The plurality of weight members 65 is a set of saddle bags shipped empty to be filled with sand or similar heavy material by the user. The wing members 63 can be made of flat steel bars as the weight will increase the immobility of the plate member 61 in hitting practice mode. The upright member 62 is a steel bolt. The locking mechanism 70 of the upright member 62 is a wing nut. The preferred embodiment of the present invention allows it to be collapsible, light enough to be easily portable, and easily assembled and disassembled.
FIG. 12a shows the preferred embodiment of the height adjusting member 66. The preferred manner of adjusting the height of ball/ball-like object/puck 50 relative to the surface the hitter stands on is with a plurality of height adjustment members 66. Each of the height adjusting members 66 has an upper face 73 and a lower face 73′ and can be of any cross section, and is of different height. In substantially the centre of each height adjusting member 66 is a channel 74 running lengthwise, with the channel 74 fitting snugly over the upright member 62 in hitting practice mode. FIG. 21b shows a second embodiment of the height adjusting member 66 in which it is affixed to a disc 75. In this embodiment the disc 75 is contiguous with the plate member 61 with the channel 74 fitting snugly over the upright member 62 in hitting practice mode. FIG. 21c shows a third embodiment of the height adjusting member 66 in which it is affixed to a ring 76 by means of a cross 77. In this embodiment the cross 77 is contiguous with the plate member 61 with the channel 74 fitting snugly over the upright member 62 in hitting practice mode. An ideal material for the height adjusting members 66 is teflon as it will not rust and its surface is smooth allowing for smooth rotation of the arm member 15.
FIG. 13 shows the arm member 15 mounted on a base 60 used in practicing hitting in hockey. All or substantially all of the boundary of the base 60 is outside the circumference of a circle whose radius is the length of the arm member 15 and whose centre is the upright member 62.
This invention has been disclosed and described in its preferred embodiment with a certain degree of peculiarity; it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred embodiment is only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details and arrangements of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
