VOLLEYBALL HITTING TRAINING DEVICE
A volleyball training apparatus has a laterally extending arm supported on a riser. A resilient member such as a spring is operably connected within the arm. The resilient member is connected to a flexible connector, such as a cable, that is connected to a volleyball. A series of spacers retains the volleyball away from the rigid arm. The height of the arm may be adjustable to locate the volleyball at a desired height. After a user strikes the volleyball, the volleyball is displaced from its original static position, but quickly is snapped back into the static position by the resilient member pulling the volleyball toward the arm against the spacers.
This application is a continuation-in-part and claims priority pursuant to 35 USC § 120 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/248,697, filed Feb. 3, 2021, which is a nonprovisional claiming priority pursuant to 35 USC § 119(e)(1) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/969,442, filed Feb. 3, 2020.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to athletic training equipment and more specifically to a device to aid in training players to hit or spike a volleyball.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere are a few classes of common commercially available volleyball spike trainers. The first group holds the volleyball stationary with friction, and then releases it when hit; which requires chasing down the loose ball and re-loading the device. Another class tethers a ball with a loose cord attached to either a support, a ceiling, or to the user. These devices eliminate the need to chase down loose balls but suffer from the disadvantage of either not holding the ball in a consistent location, or not damping the movement quickly. A third class attaches the ball between two bungy cords or elastic bands. This arrangement does overcome the need to chase the ball, and depending on the stiffness of the elastic cord, may rather quickly damp the motion to return the ball to a stationary position. However, it is disadvantageous to use two elastic elements instead of one because the ball reacts differently when struck and because of the inefficiency of using (and supporting) two elastic elements instead of one. These two elastic element devices also run the risk of tangling with a user's arm or wrist which can be uncomfortable at best and risks injury at worst.
It is also known to attach a volleyball to a single elevated arm with a spring. However, these suffer from the disadvantage of the ball not quickly returning to its starting position after being struck such that it can be quickly reused, especially in a line drill.
Portable training devices that include frame and a ball that is struck by a user can be susceptible to moving by “wandering” as repeated lateral force is applied to the frame. The wandering can result in the apparatus moving to an unwanted location during use.
Volleyball players benefit from striking a ball as high above the as possible. Receiving feedback on how high they are hitting the ball can be a valuable tool for improving hitting and jumping height. Accordingly, there is a need for a training device that provides feedback to a user about how high they are striking the ball.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved volleyball training apparatus that overcomes or diminishes the disadvantages of the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONTherefore, it is a principal object, feature, and/or advantage of the disclosed features to overcome the deficiencies in the art.
It is another object, feature, or advantage of the disclosed features to provide a volleyball training device that eliminates the need to chase down a ball after it is struck.
It is another object, feature, or advantage of the disclosed features to provide a volleyball spike training aid that holds the ball in a consistent location and quickly damps the movement of the ball after it is struck.
It is another object, feature, or advantage of the disclosed features to provide a volleyball training aid that is safe and protects the users hand, wrist, and arm, especially on off-center hits.
These and/or other objects, features, and advantages of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The present invention is not to be limited to or by these objects, features and advantages. No single embodiment needs to provide each and every object, feature, or advantage.
According to one embodiment, the invention relates to a volleyball training apparatus comprising that has a rigid hollow arm with a first end adapted for attachment to a riser and an open second end opposite from the first end. A resilient member has a first end and a second end and extends at least partially through the hollow arm. The resilient member is operably secured to the arm at the first end of the resilient member. An end cap covers the open second end of the hollow arm. The end cap includes a central opening. A flexible connector has a first end attached to the second end of the resilient member. The flexible connector extends through the central opening in the end cap and a second end of the flexible connector is operably connected to a volleyball. The volleyball training apparatus may also include at least one spacer surrounding the flexible connector and located between the volleyball and the end cap. The volleyball training apparatus may also have a cup between the at least one spacer and the volleyball, the cup having an open end, whereby the volleyball is urged against the open end of the cup by the resilient member. The cup may be surrounded by a padded layer. A tension level in the resilient member may be adjustable.
According to one embodiment, a volleyball training apparatus has a rigid hollow arm that has a proximal end adapted for attachment to a riser and an open distal end spaced apart from the proximal end. A resilient member that has a first end and a second end extends at least partially through the hollow arm and is operably connected to the arm at the first end of the resilient member. An end cap covers the open distal end of the hollow arm/the end cap has a central opening. A flexible connector has a first end attached to the second end of the resilient member and extends through the central opening in the end cap whereby a second end of the flexible connector is operably connected to a volleyball. At least one spacer may surround the flexible connector and be located between the volleyball and the end cap. Alternatively, at least three spacers may surround the flexible connector and be located between the volleyball and the end cap. A cup may be provided between the at least one spacer and the volleyball, the cup having an open end, whereby the volleyball is urged against the open end of the cup by the resilient member. The cup may be surrounded by a padded layer. A tension level in the resilient member may be adjustable. A chain may operably connect the first end of the resilient member to the arm. The proximal end of the arm may include a slot sized and shaped such that links of the chain will pass through the slot in a first orientation but will not pass through the slot in a second orientation. The chain may extend through the slot; whereby adjustment of the tension level is accomplished by pulling the chain through the slot until a desired tension is achieved and securing the chain by twisting a chain link adjacent to the slot to the second orientation. The volleyball training apparatus may include a riser structure that has an upright riser and a base; wherein the upright riser matingly receives the proximal end of the rigid hollow arm; and wherein the base is adapted to rest on a flat surface. The riser may be adjustable to adjust a height of the arm above the base. The base may include a first end proximate to a connection between the upright riser and the base and a second end opposite from the first end of the base. The riser structure may also include wheels proximate to the first end of the base for rolling transport of the apparatus on the flat surface. The base may be adapted to support at least one weight in a first position proximate to the second end of the base to retard unwanted movement of the apparatus during use. The base may be further adapted to support the at least one weight in second position proximate to the first end of the base to facilitate tilting of the apparatus at the wheels and rolling transport of the tilted apparatus on the wheels across the flat surface. The at least one weight may comprise a hollow container adapted to be filled with a heavy substance. The heavy substance may be water or a flowable solid material.
It is an object of some embodiments of the invention to provide feedback about how high a ball is when it is struck by a user.
It is an object of some embodiments of the invention to prevent or reduce wandering of a volleyball training apparatus during use.
According to another embodiment a volleyball training apparatus has a base including a first end and a second end. Two feet are mounted to the base near first end. The feet include shock absorbers. A riser extending upwardly from the base and a rigid hollow arm extends horizontally from the riser. The hollow arm has a proximal end proximate to the riser and an open distal end spaced apart from the proximal end. A resilient member has a first end and a second end. The resilient member extends at least partially through the hollow arm and is operably connected to the arm at the first end of the resilient member. An end cap covers the open distal end of the hollow arm, the end cap including a central opening. A flexible connector has a first end attached to the second end of the resilient member and extends through the central opening in the end cap whereby a second end of the flexible connector is operably connected to a volleyball. The base may include a first cross member at the first end and a second cross member at the second end, wherein the feet are mounted to the first cross member. Rollers may be mounted to the base proximate to the first end of the base. The riser may be mounted to the base proximate to the second end of the base. A handle may be mounted to the riser to aid in moving the training device by rolling it on the rollers. Spindles may be mounted to the base proximate to the first end of the base, whereby the spindles are adapted to support weights when the training apparatus is in use to add downward force on the feet and thereby resist wandering by the training apparatus. The handle may be adapted to support the weights when the training device is being moved. The shock absorbers may each comprise a mounting mechanism attaching a spring to the base at an upper end of the spring and a lower cap attached to a lower end of the spring. The lower cap may include a non-marking high friction material. The shock absorbers may each comprise a spring member and a floor engaging member. An adjustment mechanism may be provided for adjusting a vertical position of the rigid hollow arm relative to the riser and a gauge may indicate a height of the volleyball based on the vertical position of the rigid hollow arm relative to the riser.
According to yet another embodiment a volleyball training apparatus has a base adapted to rest on a floor; a vertical riser supported by the base; a horizontal arm supported by vertical riser, the horizontal arm having a proximal end proximate to the riser and a distal end opposite from the proximal end; and a volleyball resiliently connected to the horizontal by a resilient member that urges the volleyball towards a static position at the distal end of the horizontal arm. An adjustment mechanism raises and lowers the horizontal arm relative to the vertical riser. A gauge with regularly spaced markings is positioned to show a relative position of the horizontal arm relative to the vertical riser, wherein the regularly spaced markings are labeled to indicate a height of the volleyball above the floor when the volleyball is in the static position at the distal end of the horizontal arm. The base may have a first end and a second end, and the training apparatus may further include shock absorbing feet mounted to the base proximate to the first end and rollers mounted to the base proximate to the second end. The vertical riser may be mounted to the base proximate to the second end. The volleyball training apparatus may also include a spindle proximate to the first end of the base for supporting weights that increase pressure on the shock absorbing feet during use to discourage wandering by the volleyball training apparatus. A handle may be provided on the riser adapted with a grip portion and a shaft portion, wherein the grip portion is adapted to be grasped while moving the training apparatus by rolling on the rollers and wherein the shaft portion is adapted to support the weights to facilitate moving the weights with the training apparatus when the weights have been removed from the spindle.
Use of the training apparatus 10 is illustrated in
As seen in
Returning to
The training device 101 includes handles 109 that are mounted to and extend from the riser 12. The handles include a grip portion and a shaft portion. The shaft portions are attached to and extend from the riser 12. The grip portions are adapted to be grasped by a user to manipulate and move the training device 101 on the rollers 18 that are connected to the base 16 at the second end of the base 16. The shafts of the handles 105 may be used to support weights 103 when the device 101 is not in use or when it is being moved.
Shock absorbing feet 109 are mounted to the first end member 16b. The shock absorbing feet 109 may include a resilient member 111 such as a coil spring and an end cap 113 adapted to engage the floor. The weights 103 may be moved to provide additional pressure on the feet 109 when the training apparatus is in use. Spindles 107 may be provided on the first end member 16b in order to secure the weights 103 directly, or nearly directly, above the feet 109 in order to increase the friction between the end caps 113 of the feet 109 and the floor.
Details of the shock absorbing feet 109 and how they mount to the base 16 can be seen in
The training device 101 also includes a gauge 115 that can be used to indicate to a user how the volleyball 30 is above the floor. The height of the lateral arm 22 relative to the riser 12 may adjusted using an adjustment mechanism 20. Those of ordinary skill in the art will be aware of several mechanisms for adjusting the height of the lateral arm 22 relative to the riser 12. In the embodiment of
Thus, various configurations of a volleyball training device have been shown and described. It should be appreciated that the embodiments shown and described are for exemplary purposes, and the invention of a volleyball training device has thus been provided. It is to be contemplated that numerous variations, changes, and otherwise, which are obvious to those skilled in the art are to be considered part of the present invention.
Claims
1. A volleyball training apparatus comprising:
- a base including a first end and a second end;
- two feet mounted to the base proximate to the first end, wherein the feet comprise shock absorbers;
- a riser extending upwardly from the base;
- a rigid hollow arm extending horizontally from the riser, the hollow arm having a proximal end proximate to the riser and an open distal end spaced apart from the proximal end;
- a resilient member having a first end and a second end, the resilient member extending at least partially through the hollow arm and operably connected to the arm at the first end of the resilient member;
- an end cap covering the open distal end of the hollow arm, the end cap including a central opening; and
- a flexible connector having a first end attached to the second end of the resilient member and extending through the central opening in the end cap whereby a second end of the flexible connector is operably connected to a volleyball.
2. The volleyball training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base comprises a first cross member at the first end a second cross member at the second end, and wherein the feet are mounted to the first cross member.
3. The volleyball training apparatus of claim 1, wherein rollers are mounted to the base proximate to the first end of the base.
4. The volleyball training apparatus of claim 3, wherein the riser is mounted to the base proximate to the second end of the base.
5. The volleyball training apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a handle mounted to the riser to aid in moving the training device by rolling it on the rollers.
6. The volleyball training apparatus of claim 5, further comprising spindles mounted to the base proximate to the first end of the base, whereby the spindles are adapted to support weights when the training apparatus is in use to add downward force on the feet and thereby resist wandering by the training apparatus.
7. The volleyball training apparatus of claim 6, wherein the handle is adapted to support the weights when the training device is being moved.
8. The volleyball training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shock absorbers each comprise a mounting mechanism attaching a spring to the base at an upper end of the spring and a lower cap attached to a lower end of the spring.
9. The volleyball training apparatus of claim 8, wherein the lower cap comprises a non-marking high friction material.
10. The volleyball training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the shock absorbers each comprise a resilient member and a floor engaging member.
11. The volleyball training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an adjustment mechanism for adjusting a vertical position of the rigid hollow arm relative to the riser and a gauge that indicates a height of the volleyball based on the vertical position of the rigid hollow arm relative to the riser.
12. A volleyball training apparatus comprising:
- a base adapted to rest on a floor;
- a vertical riser supported by the base;
- a horizontal arm supported by vertical riser, the horizontal arm having a proximal end proximate to the riser and a distal end opposite from the proximal end;
- a volleyball resiliently connected to the horizontal by a resilient member that urges the volleyball towards a static position at the distal end of the horizontal arm;
- an adjustment mechanism for raising and lowering the horizontal arm relative to the vertical riser; and
- a gauge with regularly spaced markings positioned to show a relative position of the horizontal arm relative to the vertical riser, wherein the regularly spaced markings are labeled to indicate a height of the volleyball above the floor when the volleyball is in the static position at the distal end of the horizontal arm.
13. The volleyball training apparatus of claim 12, wherein the base comprises a first end and a second end, the training apparatus further comprising:
- shock absorbing feet mounted to the base proximate to the first end;
- rollers mounted to the base proximate to the second end; and
- wherein the vertical riser is mounted to the base proximate to the second end.
14. The volleyball training apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a spindle proximate to the first end of the base for supporting weights that increase pressure on the shock absorbing feet during use to discourage wandering by the volleyball training apparatus.
15. The volleyball training apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a handle on riser adapted with a grip portion and a shaft portion, wherein the grip portion is adapted to be grasped while moving the training apparatus by rolling on the rollers and wherein the shaft portion is adapted to support the weights to facilitate moving the weights with the training apparatus when the weights have been removed from the spindle.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 17, 2023
Publication Date: Jun 8, 2023
Inventor: Greg J. Allen (Tiffin, IA)
Application Number: 18/155,199