Lacrosse Training Assembly

Abstract

A lacrosse training assembly includes a frame that is positionable on a training field. The frame defines an angled surface that is oriented at approximately 45.0 degrees from horizontal when the frame is positioned in a deployed position. A ring is coupled to the frame and the ring is oriented coplanar with the angled surface when the frame is positioned in the deployed position. An elastic membrane is coupled to the ring and a lacrosse ball is thrown thereagainst for subsequently rebounding the lacrosse ball. A sensing unit is coupled to the elastic membrane for sensing movement of the elastic membrane and thereby detecting a force with which the lacrosse ball strikes the elastic membrane. The sensing unit is in wireless electrical communication with an extrinsic electronic device for subsequently analyzing data from the sensing unit with respect to the lacrosse ball.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The disclosure and prior art relates to training devices and more particularly pertains to a new training device for facilitating a lacrosse player to practice passing and catching without assistance.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a frame that is positionable on a training field. The frame defines an angled surface that is oriented at approximately 45.0 degrees from horizontal when the frame is positioned in a deployed position. A ring is coupled to the frame and the ring is oriented coplanar with the angled surface when the frame is positioned in the deployed position. An elastic membrane is coupled within the ring and a lacrosse ball is thrown thereagainst for subsequently rebounding the lacrosse ball. A sensing unit is coupled to the elastic membrane for sensing movement of the elastic membrane and thereby detecting a force with which the lacrosse ball strikes the elastic membrane. The sensing unit is in wireless electrical communication with an extrinsic electronic device for subsequently analyzing data from the sensing unit with respect to the lacrosse ball.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a lacrosse training assembly according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a back view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a detail view taken from circle 4 of FIG. 3 of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new training device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5, the lacrosse training assembly 10 generally comprises a frame 12 is positionable on a training field 14, such as a lacrosse training field 14. The frame 12 is collapsible between a stored position and a deployed position. Moreover, the frame 12 defines an angled surface 16 that is oriented at approximately 45.0 degrees from horizontal when the frame 12 is positioned in the deployed position. The frame 12 comprises a pair of supports 18 that each comprises a central member 20 extending between a pair of outward members 22. Each of the outward members 22 of each of the supports 18 has a distal end 24 with respect to the central member 20.

The pair of supports 18 includes a first support 26 and a second support 28. Each of the outward members 22 of the first support 26 is pivotally coupled to a respective one of the outward members 22 of the second support 28. Additionally, the central member 20 of the first support 26 is oriented parallel with the central member 20 of the second support 28. The central member 20 of the first support 26 is spaced from the central member 20 of the second support 28 when the frame 12 is in the deployed position. Moreover, the first 26 and second 28 supports forms an X having the central member 20 of each of the supports 18 resting on the training field 14 when the frame 12 is positioned in the deployed position. The central member 20 of the first support 26 rests against the central member 20 of the second support 28 when the frame 12 is positioned in the stored position.

The frame 12 includes a pair of arms 30 that each has a primary end 32 and a secondary end 34. Each of the arms 30 has a sequence of bends 36 thereon that are distributed between the primary 32 and secondary 34 ends. Thus, the primary end 32 of each of the arms 30 is offset with the secondary end 34. The primary end 32 of each of the arms 30 has the distal end 24 of a respective one of the outward members 22 of the first support 26 being pivotally coupled to the primary end 32.

Each of the arms 30 has the distal end 24 of a respective one of the outward members 22 of the second support 28 is pivotally coupled to a connection point 38 on the arms 30. The connection point 38 on each of the arms 30 is positioned closer to the primary end 32 than the secondary end 34. The secondary end 34 of each of the arms 30 is offset outwardly from the respective outward members 22 of the first 26 and second 28 supports. Each of the arms 30 angles upwardly between the primary 32 and secondary 34 ends at approximately 45.0 degrees when the frame 12 is positioned in the deployed position.

A ring 40 is coupled to the frame 12 and the ring 40 lies on a plane that is oriented coplanar with the angled surface 16 defined by the frame 12 when the frame 12 is positioned in the deployed position. Thus, the ring 40 is positioned to define a target for a lacrosse player to throw a lacrosse ball 42 toward. The ring 40 has an outer surface 44 and the each of the primary 32 and secondary 34 ends of each of the arms 30 is coupled to the outer surface 44. The ring 40 angled upwardly along the arms 30 at approximately 45.0 degrees when the frame 12 is positioned in the deployed position. Additionally, the ring 40 has a diameter of approximately 30.0 inches.

An elastic membrane 46 is coupled to the ring 40 and the elastic membrane 46 is positioned within the ring 40. Thus, the lacrosse ball 42 can be thrown against the elastic membrane 46 and be subsequently rebounded back to the lacrosse player. Thus, the lacrosse player can practice passing, shooting and catching the lacrosse ball 42 without and the assistance of others. The elastic membrane 46 has a perimeter edge 48 and the perimeter edge 48 is continuously arcuate such that the elastic membrane forms a disk. The perimeter edge 48 is spaced from an inwardly facing side 50 of the outer surface 44 of the ring 40.

A plurality of connectors 52 each extends through the elastic membrane 46 and the ring 40. The connectors 52 are spaced apart from each other and are distributed around an entire circumference of the elastic membrane 46. In this way the elastic membrane 46 is suspended within the ring 40. Each of the connectors 52 may comprise a strap that is formed into a closed loop or the like.

A sensing unit 54 is provided and the sensing unit 54 is coupled to the elastic membrane 46. Moreover, the sensing unit 54 senses movement of the elastic membrane 46 and the sensing unit 54 can detect a force with which the lacrosse ball 42 strikes the elastic membrane 46. The sensing unit 54 is in wireless electrical communication with an extrinsic electronic device 56 for subsequent analysis data from the sensing unit 54 with respect to the lacrosse ball 42. The extrinsic electronic device 56 may be a smart phone or other similar device with wireless communication capabilities.

The sensing unit 54 comprises a panel 58 that is coupled to a rear surface 60 of the elastic membrane 46. Thus, the panel 58 is inhibited from being struck by the lacrosse ball 42 and potentially altering 40 a rebound angle of the lacrosse ball 42. A control circuit 62 is coupled to the panel 58 and an accelerometer 64 is coupled to the panel 58. The accelerometer 64 detects acceleration and deceleration of the panel 58 and the accelerometer 64 is electrically coupled to the control circuit 62. The accelerometer 64 may be a miniaturized, electronic accelerometer 64 or the like. A plurality of accelerometers 64 may be provided and the plurality of accelerometers 64 may be distributed over a majority of the surface area of the elastic membrane 46.

A transmitter 66 is coupled to the panel 58 and the transmitter 66 is electrically coupled to the control circuit 62. The transmitter 66 is in electrical communication with the extrinsic electronic device 56 and the transmitter 66 transmits data from the accelerometer 64 to the extrinsic electronic device 56 for analysis. The transmitter 66 may be a radio frequency transmitter 66 or the like. Additionally, the transmitter 66 may employ Bluetooth communication protocols thereby facilitating the transmitter 66 to be synched with the extrinsic electronic device 56. A power supply 68 is coupled to the panel 58, the power supply 68 is electrically coupled to the control circuit 62 and the power supply 68 comprises at least one battery 70.

In use, the frame 12 is positioned in the deployed position and the frame 12 is positioned on the training field 14. The lacrosse ball 42 is launched at the elastic membrane 46 during passing and shooting practice. Thus, the elastic membrane 46 rebounds the lacrosse ball 42 thereby facilitating a lacrosse player to practice without assistance. Additionally, the sensing unit 54 records the force with which the lacrosse ball 42 strikes the elastic membrane 46 and communicates the data to the extrinsic electronic device 56. Thus, the data can be analyzed on the extrinsic electronic device 56 for determining the speed of the lacrosse ball 42 and other variables that can be derived from the data.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. A lacrosse training assembly being configured to rebound a lacrosse ball for training lacrosse passing and lacrosse catching, said assembly comprising:

a frame being positionable on a training field, said frame being collapsible between a stored position and a deployed position, said frame defining an angled surface being oriented at approximately 45.0 degrees from horizontal when said frame is positioned in said deployed position;

a ring being coupled to said frame, said ring lying on a plane being oriented coplanar with said angled surface defined by said frame when said frame is positioned in said deployed position;

an elastic membrane being coupled to said ring and being positioned within said ring wherein said elastic membrane is configured to have a lacrosse ball thrown thereagainst for subsequently rebounding the lacrosse ball; and

a sensing unit being coupled to said elastic membrane, said sensing unit sensing movement of said elastic membrane wherein said sensing unit is configured to detect a force with which the lacrosse ball strikes said elastic membrane, said sensing unit being in wireless electrical communication with an extrinsic electronic device for subsequently analyzing data from said sensing unit with respect to the lacrosse ball.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

said frame comprises a pair of supports, each of said supports comprising a central member extending between a pair of outward members, each of said outward members of each of said supports having a distal end with respect to said central member, said pair of supports including a first support and a second support, each of said outward members of said first support being pivotally coupled to a respective one of said outward members of said second support having said central member of said first support being oriented parallel with said central member of said second support;

said central member of said first support is spaced from said central member of said second support having said first and second supports forming an X and having said central member of each of said supports resting on the training field when said frame is positioned in said deployed position; and

said central member of said first support rests against said central member of said second support when said frame is positioned in said stored position.

3. The assembly according to claim 2, wherein:

said frame comprises a pair of arms, each of said arms having a primary end and a secondary end, each of said arms having a sequence of bends thereon being distributed between said primary and secondary ends such that said primary end of each of said arms is offset with said secondary end;

said primary end of each of said arms having said distal end of a respective one of said outward members of said first support being pivotally coupled to said primary end;

each of said arms having said distal end of a respective one of said outward members of said second support being pivotally coupled to a connection point on said arms, said connection point on each of said arms being positioned closer to said primary end than said secondary end, said secondary end of each of said arms being offset outwardly from said respective outward members of said first and second supports; and

each of said arms angles upwardly between said primary and secondary ends at approximately 45.0 degrees when said frame is positioned in said deployed position.

4. The assembly according to claim 3, wherein said ring has an outer surface, said each of said primary and secondary ends of each of said arms being coupled to said outer surface, said ring angling upwardly along said arms at approximately 45.0 degrees when said frame is positioned in said deployed position, said ring having a diameter of approximately 30.0 inches.

5. The assembly according to claim 4, wherein said elastic membrane has a perimeter edge, said perimeter edge being continuously arcuate such that said elastic membrane forms a disk, said perimeter edge being spaced from an inwardly facing side of said outer surface of said ring.

6. The assembly according to claim 5, further comprising a plurality of connectors, each of said connectors extending through said elastic membrane and said ring, said connectors being spaced apart from each other and being distributed around an entire circumference of said elastic membrane such that said elastic membrane is suspended within said ring.

7. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein said sensing unit comprises:

a panel being coupled to said a rear surface of said elastic membrane;

a control circuit being coupled to said panel; and

an accelerometer being coupled to said panel, said accelerometer detecting acceleration and deceleration of said panel, said accelerometer being electrically coupled to said control circuit.

8. The assembly according to claim 7, further comprising a transmitter being coupled to said panel, said transmitter being electrically coupled to said control circuit, said transmitter being in electrical communication with the extrinsic electronic device, said transmitter transmitting data from said accelerometer to the extrinsic electronic device for analysis.

9. The assembly according to claim 8, further comprising a power supply being coupled to said panel, said power supply being electrically coupled to said control circuit, said power supply comprising at least one battery.

10. A lacrosse training assembly being configured to rebound a lacrosse ball for training lacrosse passing and lacrosse catching, said assembly comprising:

a frame being positionable on a training field, said frame being collapsible between a stored position and a deployed position, said frame defining an angled surface being oriented at approximately 45.0 degrees from horizontal when said frame is positioned in said deployed position, said frame comprising: a pair of supports, each of said supports comprising a central member extending between a pair outward members, each of said outward members of each of said supports having a distal end with respect to said central member, said pair of supports including a first support and a second support, each of said outward members of said first support being pivotally coupled to a respective one of said outward members of said second support having said central member of said first support being oriented parallel with said central member of said second support, said central member of said first support being spaced from said central member of said second support having said first and second supports forming an X and having said central member of each of said supports resting on the training field when said frame is positioned in said deployed position, said central member of said first support resting against said central member of said second support when said frame is positioned in said stored position; and a pair of arms, each of said arms having a primary end and a secondary end, each of said arms having a sequence of bends thereon being distributed between said primary and secondary ends such that said primary end of each of said arms is offset with said secondary end, said primary end of each of said arms having said distal end of a respective one of said outward members of said first support being pivotally coupled to said primary end, each of said arms having said distal end of a respective one of said outward members of said second support being pivotally coupled to a connection point on said arms, said connection point on each of said arms being positioned closer to said primary end than said secondary end, said secondary end of each of said arms being offset outwardly from said respective outward members of said first and second supports, each of said arms angling upwardly between said primary and secondary ends at approximately 45.0 degrees when said frame is positioned in said deployed position; a ring being coupled to said frame, said ring lying on a plane being oriented coplanar with said angled surface defined by said frame when said frame is positioned in said deployed position, said ring having an outer surface, said each of said primary and secondary ends of each of said arms being coupled to said outer surface, said ring angling upwardly along said arms at approximately 45.0 degrees when said frame is positioned in said deployed position, said ring having a diameter of approximately 30.0 inches; an elastic membrane being coupled to said ring and being positioned within said ring wherein said elastic membrane is configured to have a lacrosse ball thrown thereagainst for subsequently rebounding the lacrosse ball, said elastic membrane having a perimeter edge, said perimeter edge being continuously arcuate such that said elastic membrane forms a disk, said perimeter edge being spaced from an inwardly facing side of said outer surface of said ring; a plurality of connectors, each of said connectors extending through said elastic membrane and said ring, said connectors being spaced apart from each other and being distributed around an entire circumference of said elastic membrane such that said elastic membrane is suspended within said ring; and a sensing unit being coupled to said elastic membrane, said sensing unit sensing movement of said elastic membrane wherein said sensing unit is configured to detect a force with which the lacrosse ball strikes said elastic membrane, said sensing unit being in wireless electrical communication with an extrinsic electronic device for subsequently analyzing data from said sensing unit with respect to the lacrosse ball, said sensing unit comprising: a panel being coupled to said a first surface of said elastic membrane; a control circuit being coupled to said panel; an accelerometer being coupled to said panel, said accelerometer detecting acceleration and deceleration of said panel, said accelerometer being electrically coupled to said control circuit; a transmitter being coupled to said panel, said transmitter being electrically coupled to said control circuit, said transmitter being in electrical communication with the extrinsic electronic device, said transmitter transmitting data from said accelerometer to the extrinsic electronic device for analysis; and a power supply being coupled to said panel, said power supply being electrically coupled to said control circuit, said power supply comprising at least one battery.