Table Tennis Training Device
The present invention relates to a device for training and correcting table tennis strokes. The invention comprises: a physical pendulum assembly (20), pendulum axel/pivot assembly (30), ball/axel assembly (50), serve practice assembly (40), table tennis ball/axel assembly (50), mounting bracket/clamp assembly (70) and mounting member 60a. The table tennis training device allows a user to develop their table tennis strokes by tangentially striking the table tennis ball of table tennis ball/axel assembly (50), or by rotating physical pendulum assembly (20) approximately 180 degrees and striking a user supplied table tennis ball off of table tennis ball tee (20j). The invention also allows a user to removably secure either, table tennis ball/axel assembly (50), or the table tennis ball tee (20j) into the unattached end of serve practice assembly (40) in order to practice striking a table tennis ball at various heights above a table tennis table.
The present invention relates to Table Tennis training devices.
BACKGROUNDA problem encountered in training for table tennis is that a trainee normally requires a training partner or some type of table tennis robot, in addition to a table tennis table, in order to properly train. The problem with a training partner is that one is not always available. A problem with a robot is that although it can propel table tennis balls toward a trainee, it cannot teach the trainee how to properly perform a stroke so as to impart maximum spin to a table tennis ball. Another problem with both a table tennis robot and a table tennis table is the relative high cost of each.
The disclosed invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems by providing a relatively inexpensive portable device that allows a trainee at their convenience, to practice and develop the table tennis strokes required to properly apply spin to a table tennis ball. In addition, the invention provides feedback to the user regarding the amount of spin applied to a table tennis ball. The present invention can be attached to a table tennis table, standard table, or any substantially flat surface such as a counter top.
Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details or construction and the arrangement of components as set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. It should be understood that the description of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure from covering all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are recited with particularity in the claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that the components comprising the invention can be made from a wide variety of different including but not limited to various plastics, metals or composites.
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The invention provides for multiple modes of operation. One such mode allows table tennis ball 50d to be struck by a user so as to spin about an axis.
To operate the invention in this mode of operation, the user, uses mounting bracket/clamp assembly 70 to secure the invention to a suitable table. The user then sets the desired position of table tennis ball 50d by positioning pendulum axel/pivot member 30a and then tightening threaded connector 30f. The user then attempts to strike table tennis ball 50d in a tangential manner so as to impart maximum spin. Feedback is supplied to the user by how much table tennis ball 50d spins and moves with the natural movement of pendulum assembly 20.
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A fourth mode of operation is also shown in
While this description contains many specifics, it should not be construed that these are limitations on the scope of the invention, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations that are within the inventions scope. For example
Claims
1. A table tennis training device comprising:
- a. a physical pendulum having a first and a second end, with a rotatable object secured to said first end of said physical pendulum, and a tee having an upper surface suitable for resting a table tennis ball upon, wherein said tee is secured to said second end of said physical pendulum;
- b. a pendulum axel/pivot member;
- c. a mounting member;
- d. a means for rotatably connecting said physical pendulum to said pendulum axel/pivot member;
- e. a means for connecting said pendulum axel/pivot member to said mounting member and
- f. a means for connecting said mounting member to a table.
2. The table tennis training device of claim 1 wherein said pendulum axel/pivot member is of a predetermined length whereby said physical pendulum is positioned at a predetermined distance from said mounting member.
3. The table tennis training device of claim 1 wherein said rotatable object is removably secured to said first end of said physical pendulum.
4. The table tennis training device of claim 1 wherein said tee is removably secured to said second end of said physical pendulum.
5. The table tennis training device of claim 1 wherein said rotatable object is a table tennis ball through which passes an axel, whereby said table tennis ball can rotate about said axel.
6. The table tennis training device of claim 1 wherein said physical pendulum is removably secured to said pendulum axel/pivot member.
7. The table tennis training device of claim 1 wherein said means for rotatably connecting said physical pendulum to said pendulum axel/pivot member includes a means for varying the friction between said physical pendulum and said pendulum axel/pivot member.
8. The mounting member of claim 1 further including, a repositionable semi-flexible member having a first end and second end, wherein said first end of said repositionable semi-flexible member has a connector that is removably secured to said mounting member.
9. The repositionable semi-flexible member of claim 8, wherein said second end of said repositionable semi-flexible member includes a connector that can removably secure said axel of claim 5.
10. The repositionable semi-flexible member of claim 8, wherein said second end of said repositionable semi-flexible member includes a connector that can removably secure said tee of claim 1.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 24, 2017
Publication Date: Jan 16, 2020
Inventor: Kevin ROBERTSON (Merritt Island, FL)
Application Number: 16/335,508