TENNIS, GOLF AND BASKETBALL TRAINING DEVICE HAVING AN ADJUSTABLE HOOP

Abstract

A portable training device to be used during sports and non-sports related practice activities. The training device includes a stand to rest on a surface, an adjustable hoop through which an object is moved during practice, and a hoop support extending between the stand and the hoop. In one embodiment, the adjustable hoop is rotatable between a vertical position, standing upwardly from and in axial alignment with the hoop support, and a horizontal position, facing the flat surface in perpendicular alignment with the hoop support. The length of the hoop support is adjustable so that the distance between the hoop and the stand can be correspondingly adjusted to meet the needs of the user.

Description

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of patent application Ser. No. 13/136,772 filed Aug. 9, 2011.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to an adjustable training device to be used by those wishing to practice playing tennis, golf, basketball as well as a variety of other sports and non-sports-related activities. The training device has a hoop that can be elevated or lowered and rotated between vertical and horizontal positions to enable the player to hit, throw, kick or shoot a ball through the hoop at different locations above the ground and thereby practice a variety of different shots and techniques.

2. Background Art

It is known that tennis and golf players wishing to practice their game will use a target to which a ball is hit. In the case of tennis, a player will stand on one side of the tennis net and move the target to the opposite side of the net. The player tries to hit a tennis ball over the net so as to land close to the target. In the case of golf, a player will place the target on the green or fairway at a particular distance and then try to hit a golf ball so as to land close to the target.

Although the player may be able to hit his tennis or golf ball close to the target, there is nothing between the player and the target to help the player improve the fundamentals of his game. For example, despite the tennis player being able to hit his tennis ball to a designated target on the court, there is no way to ensure the proper form and ball location during the player's serve, ground strokes, volley, etc. relative to the net. Likewise, there is nothing to enable the golfer to improve the form of his strokes and the flight of the ball while pitching, driving, etc.

Therefore, what would be advantageous is a portable practice device to be used with and without a target and by both tennis players and golfers, where the practice device is adjustable so that the players can hit their tennis and golf balls towards the device in order to practice different strokes and hitting techniques over different distances and thereby improve their form.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general terms and according to a first preferred embodiment, a portable tennis and golf training device is disclosed to be used to enable a player to practice his tennis and golf strokes by hitting a tennis or golf ball through an adjustable hoop. The training device has a stand with a set of collapsible and extendable legs to enhance stability when the device is laid on a tennis court, grass or other flat surface. A hollow tubular lower height-adjustment member is coupled to and extends vertically upward from the stand. A hollow tubular intermediate height-adjustment member is telescopically received by and slidable through the lower height-adjustment member. A hollow tubular upper height-adjustment member is telescopically received by and slidable through the intermediate height-adjustment member. The lower, intermediate and upper height-adjustment members can be pulled upwardly and outwardly so as to stand in vertical end-to-end alignment one above the other. Threaded compression nuts surround and interlock the overlapping ends of the lower, intermediate and upper height-adjustment members so as to maintain the vertical end-to-end alignment thereof above the stand.

The practice device includes an adjustable hoop that is coupled to and rotatable relative to the upper height-adjustment member by means of a hoop carrier. The hoop is preferably circular, but may include one or more flat sides or a plurality of arcuate sides that are detachably connected together. One end of the hoop carrier is pivotally connected to the upper height-adjustment member. A mounting sleeve having a channel running longitudinally therethrough is fixedly connected to the opposite end of the hoop carrier. The adjustable hoop is received by and retained within the channel through the mounting sleeve. A curved guide rail is detachably connected to the top of the upper height-adjustment member. The hoop carrier is adapted to rotate over the curved guide rail to cause a corresponding rotation of the mounting sleeve and the hoop that is retained by the mounting sleeve so that the position of the hoop is adjustable through an arc which extends between a vertical position facing the player and a horizontal position facing the ground. Once the position of the hoop is selected, a fastener (e.g., a pull pin) is removably inserted through axially-aligned holes formed in the hoop carrier and the guide rail to prevent a displacement of the hoop carrier and the hoop which is carried thereby.

In operation, once the position of the hoop is selected and locked in place by the fastener, the stand of the practice device is stationed as desired on a tennis court adjacent the net or on a green or fairway of a golf course. The tennis or golf player practices his stroke and form while attempting to hit a tennis ball or golf ball through the hoop which extends above the stand.

According to another preferred embodiment, a portable training device is disclosed to be used for a variety of sports (e.g., basketball) and non-sports related activities. The training device has a collapsible stand with a set of folding legs that are rotatable between horizontally extended and vertically collapsed positions. Lower, intermediate and upper height adjustment members are telescopically received and slidable one within the other so as to stand vertically upward between the stand and a rotatable hoop. An end cap surrounds the top of each of the lower and intermediate height adjustment members. Each end cap has a locking collar through which the intermediate and upper height adjustment members are pulled or pushed to adjust the elevation of the hoop above the ground. A locking bolt is manipulated to compress each of the locking collars and thereby hold the lower, intermediate and upper height adjustment members in end-to-end alignment with one another.

The rotatable hoop is pivotally connected to and detachable from the top of the upper height adjustment member by means of a hoop connector. A threaded locking pin is pushed through the upper height adjustment member and the hoop connector to be connected to a threaded knob and thereby establish an axle around which the hoop can rotate between vertical and horizontal positions depending upon the activity to be practiced. That is, the position of the rotatable hoop is selectively adjustable above the stand both vertically (by means of raising or lowering the lower, intermediate and upper height adjustment members) and horizontally (by rotating the hoop at the hoop connector relative to the height adjustment members).

The rotatable hoop can be separated (i.e., pulled off) from the upper height adjustment member at the hoop connector. In this case, one end of a horizontal cross bar is detachably connected to the top of the upper height adjustment member by means of a first elbow joint. A vertical suspension bar is detachably connected to the opposite end of the horizontal cross bar by means of a second elbow joint so that the suspension bar depends downwardly from the cross bar towards the ground. The rotatable hoop is now detachably connected to the suspension bar at the hoop connector, whereby the hoop is suspended from and held by the suspension bar above the ground. The elevation of the rotatable hoop off the ground can be selectively adjusted by means of raising or lowering the lower, intermediate and upper height adjustment members above the stand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a training device having a position adjustable hoop according to a first preferred embodiment of this invention located adjacent a tennis net for use by a tennis player;

FIG. 1A shows a variation of the adjustable hoop from the training device illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein the hoop has at least one flat side;

FIG. 2 shows an enlargement of the training device of FIG. 1 with the adjustable hoop standing above a hoop support and a stand and being rotatable relative to the hoop support between vertical and horizontal positions;

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a rotatable hoop carrier to which the adjustable hoop of the practice device of FIG. 1 is attached;

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an optional clip-on serve toss ring to be detachably connected to the adjustable hoop of the training device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a modified collapsible hoop to be used by the training device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 shows the training device with adjustable hoop according to a second preferred embodiment located at a golf course for use by a golfer;

FIG. 10 shows a training device having a stand and a position adjustable hoop according to a third preferred embodiment to be used for a variety of sports and non-sports related activities;

FIG. 11 shows the training device of FIG. 10 with the stand thereof having folding legs that are rotated to a collapsed condition;

FIG. 12 shows details of the folding legs of the stand of the training device of FIG. 10 being pivotally connected to the bottom of a set of height adjustment members of the training device;

FIG. 13 shows details of the positional adjustable hoop being pivotally and detachably connected to the set of height adjustment members of the training device of FIG. 10;

FIGS. 14-17 show the training device of FIG. 10 with the position of the hoop thereof adjusted above the stand for use in practicing different sports;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a training device having a stand and a position adjustable hoop which is a modification of the training device of FIG. 10;

FIG. 19 shows details of the adjustable hoop being suspended above the ground by means of a horizontal cross bar and a vertical suspension bar detachably connected to the stand of the training device of FIG. 18; and

FIGS. 20 and 21 show the training device of FIG. 18 with the position adjustable hoop thereof suspended above the ground for use in both sports and non-sports related activities.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, there is shown a portable tennis training device 1 according to a first preferred embodiment of this invention. The tennis training device 1 is ideally positioned adjacent a net 50 of the kind typically found on a tennis court. However, the tennis training device 1 of this invention can also be used on any flat surface without a net or with any suitable barrier having a height which simulates the height of the usual tennis net. The tennis training device 1 is preferably used in combination with a movable target 60 which is laid on the tennis court behind the tennis net 50. The training device 1 and target 60 can be stationed on the tennis court to lie at either the same or opposite sides of the tennis net 50.

As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the tennis training device 1 includes a hoop 3 at the top thereof. The position of the hoop 3 can be selectively adjusted relative to the tennis net 50 in both linear (i.e., vertical) and rotational directions so that a tennis player can practice his form and strokes while hitting a tennis ball through the hoop. The player can use the tennis training device 1 with or without the target 60. In the case where the target 60 is employed, the position of the hoop 3 and the location of the target 60 can be adjusted relative to one another so that the player practices hitting a tennis ball through the hoop to land close to the target.

The adjustable hoop 3 enables the player to practice his volley shots while standing close to the hoop and/or his serve and ground strokes standing away from the hoop. At the same time, the position of the hoop 3 above the net 50 can be selectively adjusted depending upon the age and height of the player. In any case, the hoop 3 of training device 1 helps the player practice hitting a tennis ball to a particular location and elevation above the net 50 so as to reach the target 60. For more advanced players, the player can also practice applying spin to a ball and the arc along which the tennis ball must travel to pass through the hoop 3 from different positions on the tennis court. What is more, the hoop 3 can be lowered so that the bottom thereof lies below the top of the tennis net 50. This will cause the player to practice hitting the tennis ball through a smaller hoop area lying close to and just above the top of the net 50 which is desirable in many game situations.

The hoop 3 of tennis training device 1 is shown in FIG. 1 as being circular. In this case, it has been found that a hoop diameter of about 31 inches is ideal for practicing most tennis shots. It is to be understood that the hoop 3 can have a variety of different configurations and shapes. By way of example, a circular hoop 3-1 can be manufactured with a flat (i.e., straight) bottom 4 like that shown in FIG. 1A for an advantage that will be described when referring to FIGS. 3 and 4. By way of another example, the hoop 3 can have flat rather than round sides. The hoop 3 is preferably manufactured from any suitable impact-resistant material such as plastic, metal, wood, or the like.

Referring now to FIG. 2 of the drawings, details arc provided of the tennis training device 1 that was described while referring to FIG. 1. The training device 1 includes a stand 5 to be seated upon the tennis court adjacent the net 50 as shown in FIG. 1. The stand 5 has a set of collapsible legs 7 that are common to a tripod to enhance the stability of the device 1. The legs 7 are coupled to a hollow tubular lower height-adjustment member 9 of a hoop support by means of hinges 10. Thus, the legs 7 are adapted to be folded (i.e., rotated) at the hinges 10 relative to the lower height-adjustment member 9 from an outstretched position, as shown, to a collapsed position in axial alignment with the lower height-adjustment member 9 to facilitate storage or transport of the training device 1. As an option, each of the legs 7 of the stand 5 may have a retractable extension 12 that is slidably received within the leg 7.

The hoop support of the tennis training device 1 also includes a hollow tubular intermediate height-adjustment member 14. The intermediate height-adjustment member 14 is shaped and sized (i.e., with a smaller diameter) so as to be slidably and telescopically received within the hollow tubular lower height-adjustment member 9. The intermediate height-adjustment member 14 can be pulled outwardly or pushed inwardly of the lower height-adjustment member 9 as is needed in order to correspondingly adjust the height above the base 5 of the hoop 3 that is carried at the top of the training device 1.

FIG. 2 shows the intermediate height-adjustment member 14 pulled upwardly and outwardly from the lower height-adjustment member 9 so as to be in vertical end-to-end alignment therewith. In its upstanding position as shown, the lower or bottom end of the intermediate height-adjustment member 14 is received inside and releasably attached to the upper end or top of the lower height-adjustment member 9.

A well-known threaded compression nut 16 which surrounds the intermediate height-adjustment member 14 is rotated into mating engagement with a correspondingly threaded portion of the lower height-adjustment member 9 so that the overlapping ends of the lower height-adjustment member 9 and the intermediate height-adjustment member 14 will be held in place standing vertically one above the other. Rather than the aforementioned threaded nut 16, a removable locking pin (not shown) can be inserted through axially-aligned locking holes (also not shown) in order to hold the intermediate and lower height-adjustment members 14 and 9 one above the other. By way of example, a suitable locking pin can be any of a spring-loaded plunge pin, hitch pin, pull ring pin, or the like.

The hoop support of the tennis training device 1 also includes a hollow tubular upper height-adjustment member 18. The upper height-adjustment member 18 is shaped and sized (i.e., with a smaller diameter) to be slidably and telescopically received within the intermediate height-adjustment member 14. The upper height-adjustment member 18 can be pulled outwardly or pushed inwardly of the intermediate height-adjustment member 14 as is needed to correspondingly adjust the height above the base 5 of the hoop 3 that is carried at the top of the training device 1. FIG. 2 shows the upper height-adjustment member 18 pulled upwardly and outwardly from the intermediate height-adjustment member 14. In its upstanding position as shown, the lower end or bottom of the upper height-adjustment member 18 is received inside and releasably attached to the upper end or top of the intermediate height-adjustment member 14.

A threaded compression nut 20 which surrounds the upper height-adjustment member 18 is rotated into mating engagement with a correspondingly threaded portion of the intermediate height-adjustment member 14 so that the overlapping ends of the upper and intermediate height-adjustment members 18 and 14 will be held in place standing upwardly one above the other. The threaded nut 20 which holds the overlapping ends of the height-adjustment members 14 and 18 may be identical to that described when referring to the end-to-end engagement of the intermediate height-adjustment member 14 to the lower height-adjustment member 9.

The previously described adjustable hoop 3 is coupled to the top of the hollow upper height-adjustment member 18 of the training device 1 so that the hoop 3 can be rotated continuously relative to member 18 through an arc of about 90 degrees from a vertical position, in axial alignment with the upper height-adjustment member 18, to a horizontal position, in perpendicular alignment with member 18. In its vertical position, the central opening through the hoop 3 will face the player to enable serves, volleys, ground strokes, etc. to be practiced. In its horizontal position, the central opening through the hoop 3 will be parallel to the ground to enable dropshots to be practiced. As will soon be explained, the adjustable hoop 3 can be rotated to any location between the vertical and horizontal positions described above depending upon the training activity of the player.

The adjustable hoop 3 is coupled to the upper height-adjustment member 18 by means of a hoop carrier having a pair of spaced, parallel-aligned arms 24. Turning to FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, first ends of the hoop carrier arms 24 are shown pivotally connected to the upper height-adjustment member 18 by a fastener 26. The fastener 26 extends through axially-aligned openings (now shown) formed through the first ends of the hoop carrier arms 24 and the top of the upper height-adjustment member 18 located therebetween such that the hoop carrier arms 24 are rotatable through the aforementioned 90-degree arc relative to member 18. It is preferable that the fastener 26 is detachably connected to and removable from the upper height-adjustment member 18 so that the hoop carrier arms 24 can be separated from the training device 1 to facilitate the transport and compact storage thereof.

A mounting sleeve 28 having a channel 29 running longitudinally therethrough is affixed to the opposite ends of the hoop carrier arms 24. The size and shape of the channel 29 through the mounting sleeve 28 corresponds to the size and shape (i.e., cross-section) of the hoop 3. The hoop 3 is received through and retained in frictional engagement with the sleeve 28 so that the sleeve is rotatable above the upper height-adjustment member 18 of practice device 1 by means of the hoop carrier arms 24. To this end and as was previously explained, the hoop 3 can be manufactured with a straight bottom (designated 4 in FIG. 1A) to be located within and make a tight fit with the channel 29 through the mounting sleeve 28.

A guide rail 30 having a curved body and stops 31-1 and 31-2 projecting outwardly from opposite ends of the body is connected to the top of the upper height-adjustment member 18. A fastener 32 (of FIG. 4) extends through the guide rail 30 for receipt by a plug (not shown) located within the top of the hollow upper height-adjustment member 18 by which to secure the guide rail 30 atop member 18. It is preferable that the fastener 32 be detachably connected to and removable from the upper height-adjustment member 18 so that the guide rail 30 can be separated from the training device 1 to facilitate the transport and compact storage thereof.

A series of angle adjustment holes 36 are spaced from one another through the curved body of the guide rail 30. An angle retention hole 38 is formed through each of the pair of rotatable hoop carrier arms 24. The hoop carrier arms 24 are simultaneously rotated along the curved body of guide rail 30 for correspondingly rotating the hoop 3 through the arc between the vertical and horizontal positions (as shown in FIG. 2) relative to the upper height-adjustment member 18. The outwardly-projecting stops 31-1 and 31-2 at the opposite ends of the guide rail 30 are sized so as to be able to engage the mounting sleeve 28 and thereby prevent an over-rotation of the hoop carrier arms 24 past the vertical and horizontal positions.

The hoop carrier arms 24 are rotated to a desired position over the guide rail 30 until the hoop 3 that is retained by the mounting sleeve 28 is correspondingly rotated as desired between the vertical and horizontal positions of FIG. 2. A pull ring pin 40 (of FIG. 4) or any other suitable fastener is pushed through the angle retention hole 38 of each of the hoop carrier arms 24 and an axially-aligned one of the angle adjustment holes 36 of the guide rail 30 to prevent a further rotation of the hoop carrier arms 24 and a corresponding displacement of the hoop 3. However, should it be necessary to change the position of the hoop 3 during training, the pull ring pin 40 is pulled out of the angle adjustment and angle retention holes 36 and 38 to allow the hoop carrier arms 24 to again be rotated along the guide rail 30 as is necessary.

FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings show an optional feature of the tennis training device 1 that was described while referring to FIGS. 1-4 to enable the player to practice his serve toss. A clip-on serve toss ring 44 is detachably connected to the hoop 3 of the training device 1 after the hoop has first been rotated (by means of the hoop carrier arms 24) to the vertical position of FIG. 5 standing upwardly from the upper height-adjustment member 18. The serve toss ring 44 has a pair of well-known clip fasteners 46. Each clip fastener 46 includes a pair of flexible grasping fingers 48 having a spring memory so that the fingers are urged to close towards one another. The serve toss ring 44 is coupled to the top of the hoop 3 when the hoop is in its vertical position so that the ring 44 projects horizontally outward and in perpendicular alignment therewith by moving the clip fasteners 46 until the hoop is received between the pairs of flexible grasping fingers 48. The serve toss ring 44 has a diameter of about 12 inches to enable the player to practice over time tossing a tennis ball above his head and out in front so that the ball will drop through the ring to simulate a serve.

FIGS. 7 and 8 of the drawings show a modified collapsible hoop 70 which can be substituted for the hoop 3 of the tennis training device of FIG. 1. The hoop 70 is formed by a plurality of arcuate hoop segments 72-1 . . . 72-4 that are coupled to one another by means of fasteners 74. The fasteners may be removed from the hoop 70 to permit the hoop segments 72-1 . . . 72-4 to be separated from each other and enable the hoop 70 to be more easily attached to the mounting sleeve 28. Alternatively, the fasteners 74 can be simply loosened to permit the hoop segments 72-1 . . . 72-4 to rotate around the fasteners and collapse together to reduce the size of the hoop 70 and thereby facilitate transport and a compact storage package.

FIG. 9 of the drawings shows the identical portable training device 1 that was earlier described for use by a tennis player now being used by one practicing his golf swing and technique according to another preferred embodiment of this invention. The stand 5 of the golf training device 1 can be moved to any suitable position at a golf course to enable the player to hit his golf ball through the hoop 3 towards a target 80 (e.g., a flag). In this case, the golfer can adjust the position of the hoop 3 in the manner previously disclosed to practice the line and height of his shots (e.g., drives, pitches, wedge shots, etc.) through the hoop as the practice device is moved to different distances from the target 80.

FIGS. 10 and 11 of the drawings show a portable and adjustable training device 80 according to a third preferred embodiment of this invention. As will be described when referring hereinafter to FIGS. 14-17, the training device 80 may be used to enable players to practice a variety of different activities. However, by virtue of its easily-adjustable nature, the training device 80 has the versatility to be used by the same individual or different individuals for both sporting (e.g., basketball) and non-sporting events. Moreover, the adjustable training device 80 can be used both indoors and outside on any suitable play surface including a wooden floor, concrete or grass.

Like the training device 1 described while referring to FIGS. 1-9, the training device 80 includes a collapsible stand 82 and a rotatable hoop 84. A set 86 of telescoping height-adjustment members extends between the collapsible stand 82 and the rotatable hoop 84. As will soon be explained, the position of the hoop 80 can be selectively adjusted relative to the stand 84 in both linear (i.e., vertical) and rotational (i.e., horizontal) directions depending upon the activity to be completed.

The collapsible stand 82 of the training device 80 has a set of folding legs 88, whereby the stand can be manipulated between a deployed condition (best shown in FIG. 10) during use of the training device 80 and a collapsed condition (best shown in FIG. 11) to form a compact assembly for transport or storage when the training device is not being used. A first end of each folding leg 88 is connected to a flat foot 90. The flat feet 90 of the folding legs 88 are rotatable so as to lay flat upon or be rotated relative to the play surface and thereby maximize the stability of the training device 80 during practice.

The opposite end of each folding leg 88 is pivotally coupled to a pair of leg brackets 92 so as to lie therebetween and be rotatable relative thereto. Each pair of leg brackets 92 extends outwardly from a base 94 that lies in surrounding engagement with the bottom of the set 86 of height-adjustment members. For the training device 80 of FIGS. 10 and 11, a total of three pairs of leg brackets 92 between which respective ones of the folding legs 88 are pivotally connected.

The folding legs 88 of the collapsible stand 82 are preferably hollow elongated tubes or posts. Referring to FIG. 12 of the drawings, each folding leg 88 is shown pivotally coupled between a pair of parallel-aligned leg brackets 92 by means of an axle (e.g., a threaded bolt 96) which runs laterally through the pair of leg brackets 92 and the hollow folding leg 88. A fastener (e.g., a threaded nut 98) is rotated into mating engagement with the threaded bolt 96 to hold the bolt in place so that the folding leg 88 can be rotated therearound as the stand 82 is manipulated between the deployed and the collapsed conditions.

A first pair of retractable spring-loaded lock-release snap pins 100-1 and 100-2 projects outwardly from one side of each of the hollow folding legs 88 of the collapsible stand 82. A second pair of retractable snap pins (not shown) projects from the opposite side of each folding leg 82. The pair of snap pins 100-1 and 100-2 are connected to one another so as to move relative to the leg 82 in unison in response to a pushing force applied thereto. A lower first pair of locking holes 102 are axially aligned with one another through each pair of locking brackets 92 to which a folding leg 88 is pivotally coupled. An upper second pair of locking holes 103 are axially aligned with one another through each pair of locking brackets 92. An intermediate third pair of locking holes 104 are axially aligned with one another through, each pair of locking brackets 92.

With the collapsible stand 82 of the training device 80 in its deployed condition of FIG. 10, the collapsible legs 88 are outstretched generally horizontally from the base 94 from Which the set 86 height-adjustment members is upstanding. In this case, the pair of retractable spring-loaded lock-release snap pins 100-1 and 100-2 are urged outwardly from each side of a hollow folding leg 88 by means of a spring (not shown) located inside the leg so that a first of the pair of snap pins 100-2 is received and captured by the intermediate locking hole 104 formed in one of the pair of leg brackets 92. The receipt of the snap pin 100-2 by the locking hole 104 locks the folding legs 88 in their outstretched position of FIG. 12 to hold the collapsible stand 82 in its deployed condition.

When it is desirable to manipulate the collapsible stand 82 to its collapsed, condition of FIG. 11, a pushing force is applied to the second of the pair of retractable snap pins 100-1 at each side of the hollow folding leg 88. The pushing force causes snap pin 100-1 to retract inwardly of its leg 88. The retraction of snap pin 100-1 causes the first snap pin 100-2 to simultaneously move out of its locking receipt by the locking hole 104 and inwardly relative to its leg 88. The folding leg 88 is now free to be rotated upwardly around the bolt (i.e., axle) 96 in the direction of reference arrow 106 from its outstretched horizontal position of FIG. 12 to a vertical position shown in FIG. 11 lying in generally side-by-side parallel alignment with the set 86 of height-adjustment members.

As the folding leg 88 is rotated upwardly towards the set 86 of height-adjustment members, the lock-release snap pins 100-1 and 100-2 are correspondingly rotated until the first snap pin 100-2 is received and captured by the upper locking hole 103 formed in leg bracket 92. That is, the pair of spring-loaded lock-release snap pins 100-1 and 100-2 will be once again urged outwardly from the folding leg 88 so that snap pin 100-2 moves through locking hole 103, whereby to lock the folding leg 88 in its vertical position of FIG. 11 to enable a compact and space-efficient collapsed condition for the training device 80. This process is repeated until all of the folding legs 88 of the collapsible stand 82 are rotated and held in place vertically and alongside the set 86 of height-adjustment members.

The same process may be followed by applying a pushing force to the second lock-release snap pin 100-1 at each side of the folding leg 88 by which to enable the leg to rotate downwardly in a direction opposite to that of the reference arrow 106 until the first snap pin 100-2 is received in and captured by the lower locking hole 102. Thus, the folding leg 88 of stand 82 will be angled downwardly from the brackets 92 (not shown) to lift the set 86 of height-adjustment members higher above the ground.

Like the previously-disclosed training device 1 of FIGS. 1-9, the set 86 of the height-adjustment members of the adjustable training device 80 of FIGS. 10 and 11 which extends between the collapsible stand 82 and the rotatable hoop 84 includes a lower height-adjustment member 112, an upper height-adjustment member 114, and an intermediate height-adjustment member 116. Although the set 86 includes three height-adjustment members 112, 114 and 116, this is for the purpose of example only, and more or less than the aforementioned three members may be used depending upon how high the hoop 84 will be raised above the stand 82.

Each of the height-adjustment members 112, 114 and 116 is preferably an upstanding hollow tube or post extending one above the other. The lower height-adjustment member 112 is attached to the collapsible stand 82 at the base 94.

The intermediate height-adjustment member 116 is shaped and sized (i.e., with a smaller cross section) so as to be slidably and telescopically received within the hollow lower height-adjustment member 112. The intermediate height-adjustment member 116 can be pulled outwardly or pushed inwardly of the lower height-adjustment member 112 as is needed in order to correspondingly adjust the height of the hoop 84 that is carried at the top of the set 86 of height-adjustment members. The intermediate height-adjustment member 116 can be pulled upwardly and outwardly from the lower height-adjustment member 112 so as to lie in vertical end-to-end alignment therewith. In its upstanding position as shown in FIG. 14, the bottom of the intermediate height-adjustment member 116 is received inside and releasably attached to the top of the lower height-adjustment member 112.

The upper height-adjustment member 114 is shaped and sized (i.e., with a smaller cross section) to be slidably and telescopically received within the intermediate height-adjustment member 116. The upper height-adjustment member 114 can be pulled outwardly or pushed inwardly of the intermediate height-adjustment member 116 as is needed to correspondingly adjust the height of the hoop 84 above the stand 82 of the training device 80. FIG. 14 shows the upper height-adjustment member 114 pulled upwardly and outwardly from the intermediate height-adjustment member 116. In its upstanding position, the bottom of the upper height-adjustment member 114 is received inside and releasably attached to the top of the intermediate height-adjustment member 116.

As is best shown in FIG. 13 of the drawings, an end cap 118-1 lies in surrounding engagement with the top of the lower height-adjustment member 112. A flexible locking collar 120-1 having an open gap 121 running between adjacent portions thereof is co-extensively connected to and located above the end cap 118-1. The locking collar 120-1 surrounds the intermediate height-adjustment member 116 near the top thereof. A pair of cylindrical axially-aligned bolt sleeves 122 and 124 are spaced from one another along one side of the flexible locking collar 120-1 so that the sleeves lie at opposite sides of the gap 121 in the collar 120-1 which surrounds the intermediate height-adjustment member 116. A threaded locking bolt 126 extends through the cylindrical bolt sleeves 122 and 124. A threaded locking knob 128 is rotated into mating engagement with one end of the threaded locking bolt 126, such that a rotational force applied to the locking knob 128 applies a pulling force to and a corresponding linear displacement of the locking bolt 126 through the axially-aligned bolt sleeves 122 and 124.

As earlier described, the intermediate height-adjustment member 116 is slidable through the lower height-adjustment member 112. However, when the locking knob 128 is rotated and the locking bolt 126 is pulled through the bolt sleeves 122 and 124 towards the locking knob, a compressive force is generated by the locking collar 120-1 at the gap 121. In this case, the gap 121 is closed, and the locking collar 120-1 is tightened around the intermediate height-adjustment member 116 to prevent the intermediate member from sliding into or out of the lower height-adjustment member 112. Thus, the intermediate height-adjustment member 116 is held in place relative to the lower height-adjustment member 112 either retracted therewithin as shown in FIG. 13 or extended outwardly therefrom as shown in FIG. 14. By rotating the locking knob 128 in an opposite direction, the locking bolt 126 is loosened within the bolt sleeves 122 and 124 to reduce the compressive force applied by the locking collar 120-1 so as to permit an adjustment of the intermediate height-adjustment member 116 relative to the lower height-adjustment member 112. In this case, the knob 128 can be rotated and separated from the locking bolt 126 so that the bolt can be pushed out of and separated from the bolt sleeves 122 and 124.

An end cap 118-2 lies in surrounding engagement with the top of the upper height-adjustment member 114. A flexible locking collar 120-2 having a gap 130 formed therein is co-extensively connected to and located above the end cap 118-2. The locking collar 120-2 surrounds the upper height-adjustment member 114 near the top thereof. A pair of cylindrical, axially-aligned bolt sleeves 132 and 134 are affixed to and spaced from one another along one side of the flexible locking collar 120-2 which surrounds the upper height-adjustment member 114. A threaded locking bolt 136 extends through the cylindrical bolt sleeves 132 and 134. A threaded locking knob 138 is rotated into mating engagement with one end of the threaded locking bolt 136, such that a rotational force applied to the locking knob 138 applies a pulling force to and a corresponding linear displacement of the locking bolt 136 through the axially-aligned bolt sleeves 132 and 134 and towards the knob 138.

As was also previously described, the upper height-adjustment member 114 is slidable through the intermediate height-adjustment member 116. When the locking knob 138 is rotated and the locking bolt 136 is pulled through the bolt sleeves 132 and 134, a compressive force is generated by the locking collar 120-2 at the gap 130, whereby the gap is closed and locking collar is tightened around the upper height-adjustment member 116. When the locking knob 138 is rotated in an opposite direction, the locking pin 136 is loosened within the bolt sleeves 132 and 134 to reduce the compressive force being applied by the locking collar 120-2. Increasing or reducing the compressive force generated by the locking collar 120-2 around the upper height-adjustment member 114 by rotating the locking knob 138 allows the adjustment of the upper height-adjustment member 114 relative to the intermediate height-adjustment member 116 between retracted and extended positions.

Continuing to refer to FIG. 13, the rotatable hoop 84 of the training device 80 is shown connected to the upper height-adjustment member 114 by means of a pivotal hoop connector 144. The hoop 84 is preferably round, although the precise shape and dimensions thereof may vary depending upon the nature of the practice activity. A pair of hollow receptacles 140 of the hoop 84 receive respective opposite ends of a flat head portion 142 of the hoop connector 144. The pivotal hoop connector 144 sits atop and is detachably connected to upper height-adjustment member 114. A removable threaded locking pin 146 extends through the upper height-adjustment member 114 and a pair of ears 148 that depend downwardly at opposite sides of the hoop connector 144 so as to lie against opposite sides of member 114. A threaded locking knob 150 is rotated into mating engagement with one end of the threaded locking pin 138. A slit 152 is formed in each ear 148 of the hoop connector 144 so as to communicate with the locking pin 146 extending through the ears.

The locking pin 146 functions as an axle around which the detachable hoop connector 144 can pivot in order to cause a corresponding rotation of the hoop 84 through an arc of 180 degrees relative to the set 86 of height-adjustment members (of FIG. 1) to a particular position that depends upon the activity being practiced. That is, a rotational force applied to the locking knob 150 causes a pulling force to be applied to and a corresponding linear displacements of the locking pin 146 towards the knob. Depending upon the direction in which the locking knob 150 is rotated, the ears 148 of the hoop connector 144 will be either tightened against or loosened with respect to the upper height-adjustment member 114 to either lock the rotatable hoop 84 in place or permit the hoop to rotate with the hoop connector 144 around the locking pin 146.

By virtue of the detachable nature of the hoop connector 144, the rotatable hoop 84 can be separated from the set 86 of height-adjustment member (of FIG. 10) to maximize the versatility of the training device 80. That is, the rotatable locking knob 150 is rotated so that the locking pin 146 can be loosened and removed from its engagement with the upper height-adjustment member 114 and the pair of ears 148 which extend from the hoop connector 144. After the locking pin 146 is removed, the detachable hoop connector 144 may be pulled upwardly and off the top of the upper height-adjustment member 114. In the alternative, once the locking pin 146 has been loosened (but not removed), an upward pulling force applied to the hoop 84 will cause the hoop connector 144 to be simply pulled off the pin 146 via the slit 152 that is formed in the ears 148 of connector 144. The advantage of being able to separate the hoop 84 and the hoop connector 144 from the set 86 of height adjustment members will be explained while referring to FIG. 18.

FIGS. 14-17 of the drawings illustrate examples of different activities with which the training device 80 can be used during practice. For many sports, the training device 80 can be used to help a player visualize and practice the midpoint trajectory to ultimately land a shot in or near the final goal or target. Thus, the training device 80 ideally functions as a midway target to help the player properly and more often have his shot reach the final goal or target. Advanced athletes get the ball to the target with just the right amount of spin and arc (trajectory). As an intermediate training aid, the training device 80 teaches the player the correct way to repeatedly and successfully make a shot. In FIG. 14, the training device 80 is used by a basketball player with a conventional basketball stand, backboard and rim. In this case, the lower, intermediate and upper height-adjustment members 112, 116 and 114 are fully extended and locked in end-to-end axial alignment with one another so as to raise the hoop 84 to an elevation above the stand 82 as is necessary to enable a basketball player to practice the arc at which he shoots a basketball towards the rim. The rotatable hoop 84 of training device 80 is rotated (at the pivotal hoop connector 144) to an adjustable angle depending upon the distance between the device 80 and the basketball rim.

In FIG. 15, the training device 80 is used by a baseball player to practice pitching a baseball to a target or to another player. In this case, the set 86 of height-adjustment members are telescopically received one inside the other, and the rotatable hoop 84 stands vertically and upwardly from the hoop connector 144. Thus, the hoop 84 is held relatively close to the stand 82 and in axial alignment with respect to the set 86 of height-adjustment members by which to enable the player to throw the baseball through the hoop.

In FIG. 16, the training device 80 is used by a soccer player to practice kicking a soccer ball through the rotatable hoop 84 to improve the accuracy of his kicks. In FIG. 17, the training device 80 is used by a lacrosse player to practice hurling a ball into a net that is carried by the rotatable hoop 84. Regardless of the practice activity, the length of the set 86 of height-adjustment members and the angle of the rotatable hoop 84 relative to the members can be selectively adjusted during practice according to the skill and needs of the player.

FIGS. 18 and 19 of the drawings illustrate the versatility of the training device herein disclosed to be used in different activities. As was explained while referring to FIG. 13, the rotatable hoop 84 is detachable at the pivotal hoop connector 144 thereof from the set 86 of height-adjustment members 112, 114 and 116 that stand vertically upward from the base 94 of the collapsible stand 82. FIG. 18 shows a modified training device 80-1 after the hoop 84 is detached from the upper height-adjustment member 114. Identical reference numerals are used to refer to parts of the modified training device 80-1 of FIGS. 18 and 19 which are the same as parts of the training device 80 of FIGS. 10-17.

The training device 80-1 includes first and second L-shaped elbow joints 154 and 156, a horizontal cross bar 158, and a vertical suspension bar 160. The first elbow joint 154 includes a hollow receptacle 162 at one end and a slotted hollow receptacle 164 (best shown in FIG. 19) at the opposite end. A first end of the horizontal cross bar 158 is removably received by the hollow receptacle 162 of the elbow joint 154, whereby the cross bar 158 and joint 154 are detachably connected together. The second elbow joint 156 includes a pair of hollow receptacles 166 and 168 at opposite ends thereof. The opposite end of the horizontal cross bar 158 is removably received by one hollow receptacle 166 of the elbow joint 156, whereby the cross bar 158 and joint 156 are detachably connected together. A first end of the vertical suspension bar 160 is removably received by the other hollow receptacle 168 of the elbow joint 156, whereby the suspension bar 160 and joint 156 are detachably connected together.

The top of the upper height-adjustment member 114 is removably received within the slotted hollow receptacle 164 of the elbow joint 154 so that the upper member 114 and the joint 154 are detachably connected together. A threaded locking screw 170 is inserted through a hole formed in the upper height-adjustment member 114 and a slot formed in the receptacle 164 of elbow joint 154. A threaded rotatable locking knob 171 is then rotated into releasable mating engagement with one end of the threaded locking screw 170. Accordingly, the horizontal cross bar 158 is held between elbow joints 154 and 156 above the ground, and the vertical suspension bar 160 that is connected to elbow joint 156 depends downwardly therefrom towards the pound.

The rotatable hoop 84 of training device 80-1 is detachably connected to and suspended from the free end of the vertical suspension bar 160 in the same manner in which the hoop is connected to the upper height-adjustment member 114 of the training device 80 in the manner described while referring to the training device 80 of FIG. 13. That is, the pivotal hoop connector 144 is seated on the bottom of the suspension bar 160 such that the opposing slotted ears 148 of connector 144 are disposed adjacent opposite sides of the bar 160. A threaded locking screw 172 is inserted through the suspension bar 160 and the ears 148 of the hoop connector 144. A threaded locking knob 174 is then rotated into releasable mating engagement with one end of the threaded locking screw 172. The locking screw 172 functions as an axle around which the hoop connector 144 can pivot when the locking knob 174 is loosened to cause a corresponding adjustable rotation of the rotatable hoop 84. With the pivotal hoop connector 144 detachably connected to the bottom of the vertical suspension bar 160, the hoop 84 is held by the suspension bar 160 a distance away from the set 86 of height-adjustment members to be suspended above the ground. The hoop connector 144 can be separated from the vertical suspension bar 160 in the same manner as shown in FIG. 13.

The versatility of the training device 80-1 is maximized when the hoop connector 144, the vertical suspension bar 160, the horizontal cross bar 158, and the set 86 of height-adjustment members are disconnected from one another. Not only is the disassembly compact to transport and store, but the hoop connector 144 may be connected directly to the upper height adjustment member 114 (as shown in FIG. 10).

FIGS. 20 and 21 of the drawings show examples of different applications of the training device 80-1 of FIG. 18. The elevation of the rotatable hoop 84 held by the suspension bar 160 above the ground may be selectively adjusted by correspondingly adjusting the positions of the height-adjustment members 112, 114 and 116 relative to one another as previously described while referring to FIG. 13. In FIG. 20, the training device 80-1 is used in another sports activity to enable a golfer to practice his golf shots by hitting a golf ball towards a target after the hoop 84 is moved to different elevations above the ground. In FIG. 21, the training device 80-1 is used in a non-sports related activity as an exercise or training aid for a pet jumping through the hoop 84 after the hoop is moved to different elevations above the ground.

Claims

1. A training device, comprising:

a stand to lay on a surface;

a hoop having an opening through which to move an object by one using the training device;

a hoop support extending between said stand and said hoop to hold said hoop above said stand, said hoop coupled to said hoop support such that said hoop is rotatable relative to said hoop support from a first location to a second location; and

a hoop connector pivotally connected between said hoop support and said hoop so that said hoop is rotatable relative to said hoop support at said hoop connector, said hoop connector being detachably connected to said hoop support so that said hoop is correspondingly detachable from said hoop support.

2. The training device recited in claim 1, wherein said stand has a vertical upstanding member and plurality of legs, said legs being rotatable relative to said vertical upstanding member from a first position extending outwardly from said member to a second position extending alongside said member.

3. The training device recited in claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of legs is pivotally connected to the vertical upstanding member of said stand by way of at least one leg bracket, said leg bracket having a set of locking holes formed therein, and each leg having at least one spring biased locking pin extending therefrom to be urged into removable receipt by different ones of said set of locking holes of said bracket when said legs are rotated relative to said vertical upstanding member between said first and said second positions.

4. The training device recited in claim 1, wherein said hoop support includes at least a hollow first height-adjustment member interconnected with said stand and a second height-adjustment member interconnected with said hoop, said second height-adjustment member being slidable inwardly and out of said hollow first height-adjustment member to correspondingly adjust the length of said hoop support between said stand and said hoop, said training device further comprising a flexible locking collar surrounding said second height-adjustment member and coupled to said first height-adjustment member, said flexible locking collar adapted to apply a compressive force to said second height-adjustment member to prevent a displacement of said second height-adjustment member relative to said first height-adjustment member.

5. The training device recited in claim 4, further comprising an end cap connected to said first height-adjustment member, said flexible locking collar coupled to said first height-adjustment member at said end cap thereof to prevent the displacement of said second height-adjustment member relative to said first height-adjustment member in response to the compressive force, applied by said flexible locking collar to said second height-adjustment member.

6. The training device recited in claim 5, wherein said end cap is disposed below said flexible locking collar and in surrounding engagement with said first height-adjustment member.

7. The training device recited in claim 4, wherein there is an open gap running through said flexible locking collar so that a first part of said locking collar is spaced from an adjacent part by said open gap, said training device further comprising means to apply the compressive force to said flexible locking collar such that said open gap between the first and adjacent parts of said flexible locking collar is closed to tighten said flexible locking collar around said second height-adjustment member.

8. The training device recited in claim 7, wherein the means for applying the compressive force to said flexible locking collar includes a pair of spaced, axially aligned sleeves respectively connected to said locking collar at the first and adjacent parts thereof, said training device further comprising a fastener moving through said spaced sleeves to pull said sleeves together and close the open gap between the first and adjacent parts of said flexible locking collar.

9. The training device recited in claim 7, wherein said fastener is a threaded bolt, said training device further comprising a threaded locking knob connected to one end of said threaded bolt, such that a rotation of said locking knob causes said threaded bolt to move through said spaced sleeves to thereby pull said sleeves together and close said gap.

10. The training device recited in claim 1, wherein said hoop connector includes a first end connected to said hoop and an opposite end, said training device further comprising a pin extending laterally through said hoop support, the opposite end of said hoop connector being pivotally connected to said hoop support at said pin thereof so that said hoop is rotatable relative to said hoop support.

11. The training device recited in claim 10, wherein the first end of said hoop connector includes a head having first and opposite projections, and said hoop includes a pair of receptacles that are spaced from one another, the first and opposite projections at the head of said hoop connector being received by respective ones of the pair of receptacles of said hoop, whereby said hoop is connected to said hoop connector.

12. The training device recited in claim 10, wherein said pin is a threaded pin, said training device further comprising a threaded locking knob detachably connected to one end of said threaded pin, said locking knob being detachable from said pin to enable said pin to be removed from said hoop support and said hoop connector to be detached from said hoop support.

13. The training device recited in claim 10, wherein said hoop connector includes a pair of ears located adjacent opposite sides of said hoop support, said pin extending through said pair of ears and said hoop support therebetween, each of said pair of ears having a slit formed therein, said hoop connector being detached from said hoop support in response to a pulling force applied to said hoop connector to cause said hoop connector to be pulled off said pin by way of the slits formed in said ears.

14. The training device recited in claim 1, wherein said, hoop support includes a first vertical member standing upwardly from said stand, a horizontal member extending outwardly from said first vertical member, and a second vertical member extending downwardly from said horizontal member, said hoop connector being detachably connected to said second vertical member such that said hoop is suspended by said second vertical member above the stand.

15. The training device recited in claim 14, further comprising a first elbow joint by which to connect said first vertical member to one end of said horizontal member, and a second elbow joint by which to connect said second vertical member to the opposite end of said horizontal member.

16. The training device recited in claim 14, wherein said hoop connector is pivotally and detachably connected to said second vertical member by means of a pin removably received through each of said hoop connector and said second vertical member.