SPORTS EQUIPMENT COLLECTION AND RETURN DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF
One aspect of the invention provides a sports equipment collection and return device including: a vacuum tube terminating in an opening; a return adapted and configured to return the sports equipment to a user; and a vacuum source adapted and configured to apply vacuum to the vacuum tube to draw the sports equipment from the inlet to the return.
The simplest and most common obstacle in training for sports involving ball(s), puck(s), or birdies is when a training partner or coach is not available to retrieve and serve the balls. Even when a skilled coach is present, often the coach is serving and retrieving the balls, which means the coach's ability to train players is compromised by having to stand far away from the players being trained and focus on serving and retrieving the ball rather than actions of the player or players being trained.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTIONAccordingly, the present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a device that retrieves balls from multiple varying distances. Also, the invention collects the balls and safely returns them so they can be dispensed one at a time through one or more hoppers.
One aspect of the invention provides a sports equipment collection and return device including: a vacuum tube terminating in an opening; a return adapted and configured to return the sports equipment to a user; and a vacuum source adapted and configured to apply vacuum to the vacuum tube to draw the sports equipment from the inlet to the return.
This aspect of the invention can have a variety of embodiments. The sports equipment can be selected from the group consisting of: a baseball, a softball, a football, a rugby ball, a soccer ball, a volleyball, a lacrosse ball, a tennis ball, a golf ball, a basketball, a cricket ball, a water polo ball, and a hockey puck.
The vacuum tube can have an internal diameter that approximates an external diameter of the sports equipment. The vacuum tube can have an internal diameter that is less than an external diameter of the sports equipment and the vacuum tube can be capable of deforming to allow the sports equipment to pass through the vacuum tube. The vacuum tube can be reinforced by a wire coil.
The return can be adapted and configured to mechanically apply acceleration to the sports equipment.
The vacuum tube can include one or more baffles adapted and configured to promote suction of the sports equipment through the vacuum tube.
The device can include one or more additional vacuum tubes. The device can include one or more wheels adapted and configured to enable movement of the device. The device can include a goal coupled to the opening of the vacuum tube. The device can include a variable aperture coupled to the opening of the vacuum tube.
The device can include an angle adjuster adapted and configured to hold the vacuum tube and the opening at a plurality of angles. The plurality of angles can lie between 0° and 180° with respect to horizontal.
The vacuum source can be powered by a power source selected from the group consisting of: a battery, line voltage, a fuel cell, a solar cell, and a generator.
The device can include a remote control adapted and configured to control the operation of the device.
The device can be collapsible.
Referring initially to
Referring to
Thus, the balls are suctioned through openings 4 by vacuum suction device 2 and deposited into hopper/ball thrower 3 where they may be shot or thrown out randomly or in a manner selected by a user of the inventive apparatus. In a soccer practice session, for example, a player can kick the balls thrown by ball thrower 3 and the balls are retrieved by suctioning through openings 4 in tubes 1. The flexible tubing 1 can be stretched to great distances from the hopper/ball thrower through the use of extension 11 attached to opening 4 of tubes 1. Extension 11 can comprise a length of flexible tubing. Although
In some applications, the device will be connected by an adapter or manifold to a feeding unit or hopper equipped with a ball throwing mechanism 3. In one embodiment, the remote retrieving device is controlled remotely in terms of feed speed, throwing angle, distance, speed and power.
In one embodiment, the device consists of a rigid, flexible tube, hose or canal 1 connected posterior to a vacuum suction device 2.
The vacuum suction device 2 can be connected via an adapter or manifold to a hopper equipped with a ball throwing mechanism 3. The vacuum suction device can have a plurality of openings to accept a plurality of tubes 1 and a plurality of ball throwing mechanisms 3. For simplification,
Thus, the ball can be thrown to a player from the hopper/thrower 3 at a predetermined angle, distance, power or speed. Conversely, the player or coach can select a random placement of the balls. Upon delivery, the player can practice various skills such as, “one touch”. Thereafter, the player can kick the ball in close proximity to the opening 4. The ball is then conveyed through 1 via suction of 2 and placed in the hopper to be re-thrown or redistributed. In this embodiment, the ball can be conveyed from the left- or right-hand side of the field. Furthermore, it encourages a player to practice left or right feet “one touch” techniques. In addition, this embodiment allows for several players to practice at the same time at close proximity or far apart.
The embodiment depicted in
In an embodiment of the device, the vacuum 2 can include a trap door that closes and opens to enhance the suction of the vacuum 2.
In
The embodiment illustrated in
The foregoing discussion has presented the invention for instances where the game is soccer, for illustrative purposes. However, the invention is suitable for most ball, birdie or puck games where repetition and practice is required for enhancing skills, such as, tennis, football, rugby, lacrosse, volleyball and hockey.
Thus,
Angle adjuster 9 can be used to vary the angle of the orifice 4. Thus,
The invention device is designed to be wheeled for easy transportation and storage. The device can preferably be powered by a solar power generator or a battery that stores energy. However, energy from a portal diesel or petrol generator is acceptable. It is further anticipated that in an indoor environment such as a rink or court, a plug to a building power source will be ideal. The remote controller can be operated wirelessly with a battery or cell power source.
The invention in its broadest aspects is not limited to the specific details shown and described. Consequently, departures may be made from details described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A sports equipment collection and return device comprising:
- a vacuum tube terminating in an opening;
- a return adapted and configured to return the sports equipment to a user; and
- a vacuum source adapted and configured to apply vacuum to the vacuum tube to draw the sports equipment from the inlet to the return.
2. The device of claim 1, wherein the sports equipment is selected from the group consisting of: a baseball, a softball, a football, a rugby ball, a soccer ball, a volleyball, a lacrosse ball, a tennis ball, a golf ball, a basketball, a cricket ball, a water polo ball, and a hockey puck.
3. The device of claim 1, wherein the vacuum tube has an internal diameter that approximates an external diameter of the sports equipment.
4. The device of claim 1, wherein the vacuum tube has an internal diameter that is less than an external diameter of the sports equipment and the vacuum tube is capable of deforming to allow the sports equipment to pass through the vacuum tube.
5. The device of claim 1, wherein the vacuum tube is reinforced by a wire coil.
6. The device of claim 1, wherein the return is adapted and configured to mechanically apply acceleration to the sports equipment.
7. The device of claim 1, wherein the vacuum tube includes one or more baffles adapted and configured to promote suction of the sports equipment through the vacuum tube.
8. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
- one or more additional vacuum tubes.
9. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
- one or more wheels adapted and configured to enable movement of the device.
10. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
- a goal coupled to the opening of the vacuum tube.
11. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
- a variable aperture coupled to the opening of the vacuum tube.
12. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
- an angle adjuster adapted and configured to hold the vacuum tube and the opening at a plurality of angles.
13. The device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of angles lie between 0° and 180° with respect to horizontal.
14. The device of claim 1, wherein the vacuum source is powered by a power source selected from the group consisting of: a battery, line voltage, a fuel cell, a solar cell, and a generator.
15. The device of claim 1, further comprising:
- a remote control adapted and configured to control the operation of the device.
16. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is collapsible.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 12, 2013
Publication Date: Sep 18, 2014
Inventor: Muntala M. Harruna (Alpharetta, GA)
Application Number: 13/797,808
International Classification: A63B 47/02 (20060101); A63B 69/40 (20060101);