TRAINING APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING PROPER TENNIS SWING TECHNIQUE
A training apparatus for learning and improving upon proper tennis swing development. The apparatus has a rectangular frame mounted onto adjustable and telescoping vertical support members. The proximal end of the frame is attached to a return guide ramp, which is curved in shape to cause a ball to be returned at a correct height for the user. The distal end of the frame is attached to a backstop panel, which is arranged upwardly oriented at a predetermined angle to return a ball at a predetermined trajectory. A flexible material is disposed across the width of the rectangular frame and extends to the backstop panel and return guide ramp, and is rigid enough to provide a ball support and return surface.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a training apparatus for racket sports. More particularly, the present invention relates to a training apparatus for developing proper tennis swing technique.
2. Description of the Related Art
In tennis, as with most sports, players develop advanced skills and technique through practice and repetition. Sometimes a player wants to practice a specific shot or stoke, or a partner is not always available. During these instances a tennis backboard or ball machine is commonly used, so that a player can practice individually. The present invention provides for a backboard training apparatus that enhances proper swing technique and can be used in small areas indoors or outdoors.
A number of devices have been developed to aid in tennis swing development. Among those are one such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,235, to Torres, which discloses the use of an inclined plane backboard to return a ball for skill development in ball games, such as football or tennis
U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,901, to Goldwitz, discloses a collapsible/folding throwback device that is used in skill development to return a thrown ball. Goldwitz also teaches the use of telescoping angle members to adjust the angle of the throwback device.
Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,417,728, to Hay, describes a training apparatus for the improvement of strokes in racket games, which consists of a rebound surface with a curved upper portion that stops a ball delivered by a racket and returns it to the racket holder.
The aforementioned devices attempt to aid in skills development of ball games or racket sports using a rebound surface with an angled or curved backboard. However, these training devices are generally very large and difficult for less skilled tennis players since the ball is returned at difficult angles and varying velocities.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a tennis backboard without the drawbacks of size and unrealistic ball trajectory return. It is further an object of the present invention to provide a tennis backboard that can be used by players of all ages and heights through the use of telescoping and adjustable frame members.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a training apparatus for developing proper tennis swing development. An exemplary feature of the invention is a curved return guide ramp which provides proper delivery of a tennis ball to the correct height of the user, to enable the user to learn proper swing development. The present invention uses telescoping vertical support members to adjust the height of the apparatus to an appropriate height for the user, which in combination with the return guide ramp, returns a tennis ball at the correct height for the user, and thus provides a clear advantage over prior methods of the aforementioned training apparatuses.
It is contemplated that the training apparatus will be made up of a lightweight parallel frame having a curved return guide ramp at a proximal end and a straight backstop panel at a distal end. Parallel frame members are attached to vertical support members, which are telescoping for being adjusted to the height of various users. Additionally, the vertical support members of the parallel frame members are collapsible for easy storage and transportation of the training apparatus. A flexible material is disposed across the width of the parallel frame members, and extends to the backstop panel and return guide ramp, providing a ball support and return surface.
In the description reference is made to the accompanying drawing which is an illustration of a specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. This embodiment will be described in sufficient detail as to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope if the invention. The following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined best by the appended claims.
In order that the invention may be for fully understood, it will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:
Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
As shown in
Referring to
As shown in
Referring to
Referring now to
It is thought that the apparatus and method of use of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the parts thereof without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred or exemplary embodiment thereof. While there are shown and described presently preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. A training apparatus to aid in proper tennis swing technique comprising:
- a) a frame made up of two parallel frame members;
- b) a backstop panel connecting said frame members at a distal end thereof, said backstop panel being movable into a predetermined angle to return a ball at a predetermined trajectory;
- d) a return guide ramp connecting said frame members at a proximal end thereof, and said return guide ramp being adjustable relative to the frame at the connection to the proximal end of said frame member and is curved in shape to cause a ball to be returned to a user at the correct height for a respective user;
- d) a vertical support at a distal end and a vertical support at a proximal end of said frame members; and
- e) a flexible material disposed across the width of said parallel frame members, and extending to the backstop panel and return guide ramp, and connected thereto for providing a ball support and return surface.
2. A training apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said backstop panel is arranged upwardly oriented at a predetermined angle to return a ball at a predetermined trajectory.
3. A training apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said return guide ramp is curved in shape to cause a ball to be returned at a correct height for the user.
4. A training apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said vertical support is collapsible for allowing said apparatus to lay flat for storage or transportation.
5. A training apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said support has a distal end and a proximal end, and is taller at the distal end than the proximal end as to position the distal end at a greater height.
6. A training apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said vertical support is a tube made up of a first tube slidable in a second and telescoping in structure for allowing said apparatus to be adjusted for various user heights.
7. A training apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said flexible material is made of mesh netting.
8. A training apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said flexible material includes indicia representing hitting targets, graphics, or logos.
9. A training apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said support surface is at about a 45° angle relative to the ground with the higher end being the distal end thereof.
Type: Application
Filed: Dec 19, 2014
Publication Date: Jun 23, 2016
Inventor: Christopher Todd Patton (Charlotte, NC)
Application Number: 14/577,439