ROTATING TRAINING DEVICE FOR MEASURING KICKING FORCE
A training device for a person to practice kicking including a stationary base, platform, kicking target, and means for measuring the kicking force. The base is configured to be supported on a supporting surface and configured to remain stationary against the supporting surface. The platform is disposed above the base, rotatably coupled to the base about a rotation axis, and configured to support a person on a top side of the platform. The kicking target coupled to the platform, spaced from the rotation axis, and disposed on the top side of the platform. The platform and person both rotate in a direction about the rotation axis relative to the base after the person applies a kicking force to the kicking target.
The present invention relates to and is an improvement over a training device for kicking a soccer ball or football as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/190,000, published as 2016/0375334. The entire content of U.S. application Ser. No. 15/190,000 is hereby incorporated by reference herein.
SUMMARYThe present invention provides players, who use the kicking device described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/190,000, with a means to measure their leg strength when kicking the kicking target (e.g., a simulated soccer ball) connected to the rotary kicking device. The present invention improves the training value to young players as well as experienced players, who can practice with the device to determine the leg strengths of their dominant leg and weaker leg. The strength of each leg kick is determined by the distance the platform rotates from the kicking force of the dominant leg or weaker leg against the stopping force of an adjustable braking mechanism. In addition, the strength of the kick is determined while the kicking target remains attached to the device such that the kicking target or ball does not have to be retrieved.
For most untrained young players, the natural way to power kick a soccer ball is with the toe of the dominant foot, or right foot for most kickers. The toe kick impacts the soccer ball below the center point of the ball, which lifts the ball off the ground resulting in a kicked ball that may fly too high for a teammate to control allowing the opportunity for the opposing team to gain control of the ball. The left foot is typically the weaker foot and seldom used to power kick or strike a soccer ball in a practice or game, and thus it is more difficult for players to build muscle memory to kick a soccer ball effectively for their weaker foot. The repetitive kicking action of the rotary device of the present invention teaches new soccer players to kick a soccer ball with the left and right foot, using proper kicking techniques, with the toe down and with the laces of the foot, and with the inside of the foot behind the big toe such that the ball would travel more accurately at or near ground level.
The rotary kicking device as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 15/190,000 comprises a braking mechanism and platform coupled to the topside of a stationary base. Two simulated soccer balls or kicking targets are connected to the top side of the platform, one ball on the left side and the second ball on the right, facing a player on the platform. A player who kicks with the right foot stands with the left foot located over the connecting bolt coupling the platform and stationary base together and kicks the ball with the right foot. The force of a right foot kick rotates the player and the platform a short distance in a counter clockwise direction, and a braking mechanism brings the platform to a controlled stop. Instructions from a kicking coach, who can receive kicking instructions from a DVD or digitally, trains the player using proper kicking techniques. A coach can also focus the attention of the young kicker during the practice sessions and make sure that the player practice kicks with both legs.
The force of an untrained player's kick rotates the platform with the player on top of the platform against the resistance force of the braking mechanism. The two forces working against each other can develop stronger muscles in both legs, with greater potential to kick a soccer ball which travels faster, than kicking a soccer ball into a net without a resistance force. The repetitive kicking with a ball mounted on the top of the device also eliminates chasing a soccer ball, increases concentration to kick properly, develops muscle memory faster, and can reduce training time to learn proper kicking techniques with both the left and right legs.
Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Furthermore, it is to be understood that features from one embodiment of the invention can be substituted and used in other embodiments of the invention, when suitable. When a structure or mechanism of the invention is described in the context of only one or two specific embodiments, one of skill will appreciate that this structure or mechanism can be used in any other embodiments where suitable, even if that structure or mechanism is not explicitly described in conjunction with those other embodiments herein.
The circular numbering pattern 202 is spaced equally from the center of the fastener 52, on the outer perimeter of the label 200. The fastening bolt 52 defines the vertical axis of rotation 40 between the circular numbering pattern 202 on the base 67 and the platform 68. The numbering pattern 202 starts with the number one and increases by one, in a counter clockwise direction 37, to the number thirty such that the numbering pattern 202 completely encircles the stationary base 67. A second circular numbering pattern 204, next to and inside of the numbering pattern 202, starts with the number one and increases by one in a clockwise direction, to the number 30 such that the numbering pattern 204 completely encircles the stationary base 67. The numbers one to thirty on label 200 are arbitrary and there could be more or less numbers and higher or lower numbers in the circular patterns 202 and 204.
As shown for example in
As shown in
To kick with the left foot 36, the right foot 35 is placed over the connecting bolt 52 at the center of the platform 68. The left foot 36 is placed on the horizontal support surface 225, a distance behind the right foot 35 for the player to keep his balance and to use the proper kicking techniques as described previously. The player, standing on the left side 34 of the platform 68 and kicking with the weaker left foot 36, looks down and see the letter L or LEFT FOOT printed on the platform 68. This reminds the player that the pointer 221, next to the L and the circular numbering pattern 204 are to be used to determine the rotational travel of the platform 68 and soccer ball 12 for the left foot 36 kicks. Pointer 221 indicates the starting number twenty, before the kick, on the numbering pattern 204. The player mentally notes the number twenty or a second person can record the number twenty for future records, and the player kicks the soccer ball 12. The soccer ball 12 rotates in a clockwise direction 37 from the force of the kick, and a braking mechanism 218 stops the platform 68 after a short travel. The player removes the left foot 36 from the ball 12 and looks down at the pointer 221 on the left side 34, after the kicking cycle, and sees the number twenty three, for example. The difference between the number twenty, before the kick and twenty three after the kick, is three, which can be mentally noted by the player or recorded by a second person as described previously. Coaches and players can visualize the difference between the rotation created by the force of the right foot kick 35 and left foot 36 kick on the soccer ball. In future kicking practices the weaker leg gets more repetitions, until the distance the platform 68 rotates from the weaker leg kick is the same when compared with the dominant leg, or vastly improved when compared to prior distances from the same left leg.
As shown in
The label 200, numbering patterns 202, 204, pointers, 220, 221, cutouts 68A, 68B, and openings 208, 210, 212 represent various possible means for measuring kicking force. Other means for measuring kicking force are possible including various other constructions including mechanical and electrical devices for measuring the same. One electrical device, for example, could utilize an encoder for measuring the rotation of the platform 67 relative to the base 68. An encoder is an electromechanical device that can measure motion or position. Most encoders use optical sensors to provide electrical signals in the form of pulse trains, which can, in turn, be translated into motion, direction, or position. The encoder could also utilize a display screen that could display the distance the platform 67 rotated relative to the base 68.
Claims
1. A training device for a person to practice kicking, the training device comprising:
- a stationary base configured to be supported on a supporting surface disposed below the base and configured to remain stationary against the supporting surface, a platform disposed above the base and rotatably coupled to the base about a rotation axis, wherein the platform is configured to support a person on a top side of the platform;
- a kicking target coupled to the platform, spaced from the rotation axis, and disposed on the top side of the platform;
- wherein the platform and person both rotate in a direction about the rotation axis relative to the base after the person applies a kicking force to the kicking target; and
- a means for measuring the kicking force.
2. The training device of claim 1, wherein the means for measuring the kicking force includes at least one numbering pattern fixed relative to the base.
3. The training device of claim 2, wherein the platform includes a pointer to align with the numbering pattern.
4. The training device of claim 2, wherein the platform includes a cutout to expose the numbering pattern in the upward direction through the platform.
5. The training device of claim 2, wherein the platform includes an opening to expose the numbering patter in the upward direction through the platform.
6. The training device of claim 2, wherein the numbering pattern includes a sequential series of numbers.
7. The training device of claim 1, further comprising
- an additional kicking target coupled to the platform, spaced from the rotation axis in a direction opposite to the kicking target, and disposed on the top side of the platform;
- wherein the platform and person both rotate about the rotation axis in an opposite direction relative to the base after the person applies an subsequent kicking force to the additional kicking target; and
- a means for measuring the subsequent kicking force.
8. The training device of claim 7, wherein the means for measuring the kicking force and the subsequent kicking force include two separate numbering patterns fixed relative to the base.
9. The training device of claim 8, wherein each of the two separate number patterns includes a sequential series of numbers arranged in ascending order in opposite directions.
10. The training device of claim 9, wherein the platform includes two pointers, each of which is positioned to align with one of the two separate numbering patterns.
11. The training device of claim 9, wherein the platform includes two cutouts, each of which is positioned to expose one of the two separate numbering patterns in the upward direction through the platform.
12. The training device of claim 9, wherein the platform includes an opening to expose both of the two separate numbering patterns in the upward direction through the platform.
13. The training device of claim 9, wherein the platform includes two openings, each of which is positioned to expose one of the two separate numbering patterns in the upward direction through the platform.
14. A method of practicing kicking, the method comprising:
- supporting a platform on a supporting surface;
- supporting a person on a top surface of the platform;
- planting a foot of the person on a contact point of the platform;
- applying a kicking force with a non-planted foot of the person to a kicking target coupled to the platform and disposed on the top side of the platform;
- rotating with the kicking force the platform and person in a direction about a rotation axis passing through the contact point; and
- measuring the kicking force.
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
- maintaining the non-planted foot in contact with the kicking target throughout the rotation of the platform.
16. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
- planting an opposite foot of the person on the contact point of the platform;
- applying a subsequent kicking force with an opposite non-planted foot of the person to an additional kicking target coupled to the platform and disposed on the top side of the platform;
- rotating with the subsequent kicking force the platform and person in an opposite direction about the rotation axis; and
- measuring the subsequent kicking force.
17. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
- aligning a pointer of the platform onto a numbering pattern to measuring the kicking force.
18. The method of claim 14, further comprising:
- exposing upwardly a numbering pattern through a hole or a cutout in the platform to measure the kicking force.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 26, 2017
Publication Date: Jul 26, 2018
Inventor: Peter D. Ragen (Pewaukee, WI)
Application Number: 15/416,832