DRIBBLE CROSSOVER TRAINING DEVICE

Abstract

An athletic training device for teaching a crossover dribble skill comprised of an arc member coupled to weighted bases where the device is self-righting. The training device teaches players that the crossover dribble skill is low and has a significant horizontal component by passing the basketball underneath the arc member. The training device is self-righting due to the curved lower surface of the weighted bases as well as the weighted bases having a top and bottom chamber where only the bottom chamber is filled.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate, in general, to athletic training equipment and more particularly to equipment to assist in developing dribbling skills in basketball.

Relevant Background

The creation of the game of basketball is credited to James Naismith in 1891. Mr. Naismith, a clergyman, and physician was working as an instructor at the Young Men's Christian Association Training School in Springfield, Massachusetts when his supervisor asked him to develop a recreation suitable for indoor winter play. The original “hoops” where peach baskets affixed to the wall.

Since its introduction, basketball has developed a worldwide following as a recreation suitable for ages five and greater. The sport involves hand/eye coordination, cardiovascular exercise, teamwork, strategy, and sportsmanship. A key component of the game is dribbling. In basketball, dribbling is bouncing the ball on the floor continuously with one hand at a time. It is the only legal way that a player may maintain possession of the ball while walking or running. Dribbling began by a player passing the ball to themselves. The dribble allows for much faster advancement and thus more opportunities for scoring. It also provides an opportunity for a crafty player on the opposing team to “steal” the ball in mid-bounce. Once a player stops dribbling the ball and holds it, the player normally must either pass it to another player or take a shot.

A crossover dribble is a basketball maneuver in which a player dribbling the ball switches the ball rapidly from one hand to the other, to make a change in direction. In a typical example the player heads up-court, dribbling the ball in (say) the left hand, then makes a wide step left with a good head fake. If the defender is deceived, the player can then switch to dribbling with the right hand and surpass the defender. The crossover can allow the player an open short jumper or a clear path to the basket.

There are numerous types of crossover dribbles, but each requires the player to pass the ball from one hand to the other. Effectively teaching crossover dribble skills is challenging. Passing the ball from one hand to the other in a dibble exposes the ball to the opponent and an opportunity for the ball to be stolen. Various tools have been crafted to aid in teaching players techniques to protect the ball while aiding in the mobility of the ball. For example, hurdles are used to express to a player the need to pass the ball to the other hand at a low angle much like an arc rather than a V bounce.

As one might expect, a player learning to crossover dribble will engage the hurdle, chairs, or other obstacle designed to teach the player to use a low arcing technique. When the basketball engages devices of the prior art they move, fall over, and stop the flow of the drill or exercise. A need exists for a dribble crossover training device that encourages players to pass the ball in a low sweeping arc yet, upon interaction with the basketball or player, will automatically reset into its starting position, enabling the player (or other players) continuous practice. These and other deficiencies of the prior art are addressed by one or more embodiments of the present invention.

Additional advantages and novel features of this invention shall be set forth in part in the description that follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following specification or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities, combinations, compositions, and methods particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and objects of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will be best understood, by reference to the following description of one or more embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and figures imbedded in the text below and attached following this description.

The Figures depict embodiments of the present invention for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the invention described herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention showing the arc member and weighted bases.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention showing the arc member, weighted bases, the air inflation valve and the fill port.

FIG. 3 is a side-view perspective of the invention, showing the top and bottom chamber, fill valve, and curved lower surface.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the self-righting feature of the invention.

FIGS. 5a and 5b. depict players using the invention.

FIG. 6 is a top-view perspective of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom-view perspective of the invention showing the curved lower surface, fill port, and non-skid or slip resistant material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is an athletic training device that aids in teaching the crossover dribble skill for playing basketball. The invention is assists in teaching players that the crossover dribble skill is low and has a significant back-and-forth or horizontal component, instead of a primarily up-and-down or vertical motion used in a basic dribble. Players pass the basketball underneath the arc member which gives them both visual and physical indications of how to maneuver the ball. Weighted bases with a curved lower surface allow the device to be self-righting. This allows uninterrupted use of the invention when a basketball, hand, or other object impacts the invention as opposed to pausing or restarting the drill each time the device is knocked over. The weighted base design allows the invention to be used on any surface that a basketball can be bounced on as the invention rests on the surface and does not require any type of attachment to the floor. The invention can be made from a lightweight, inflatable material that can be emptied out and compressed, taking up sufficiently less space for both portability and storage.

Embodiments of the present invention are hereafter described in detail with reference to the accompanying Figures. Although the invention has been described and illustrated with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the combination and arrangement of parts can be resorted to by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the present invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Also, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings but are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

By the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those of skill in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.

Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the figures, the sizes of certain lines, layers, components, elements or features may be exaggerated for clarity.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present), and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present), and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the specification and relevant art and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

It will be also understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,” “attached” to, “connected” to, “coupled” with, “contacting”, “mounted” etc., another element, it can be directly on, attached to, connected to, coupled with, or contacting the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being, for example, “directly on,” “directly attached” to, “directly connected” to, “directly coupled” with or “directly contacting” another element, there are no intervening elements present. It will also be appreciated by those of skill in the art that references to a structure or feature that is disposed “adjacent” another feature may have portions that overlap or underlie the adjacent feature.

Spatially relative terms, such as “under,” “below,” “lower,” “over,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of a device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if a device in the figures is inverted, elements described as “under”, or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of “over” and “under”. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. Similarly, the terms “upwardly,” “downwardly,” “vertical,” “horizontal” and the like are used herein for the purpose of explanation only unless specifically indicated otherwise.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment of a crossover dribble device. The crossover dribble device 100 is essentially comprised of an arc member 110 coupled to a left and right weighted base 120. The device is approximately knee high and has an arc chord length 130 of at least one and a half times the diameter of a basketball. Each weighted base 120 is comprised of two chambers, a top chamber 140 and a bottom chamber 150. The top chamber 140 and the bottom chamber 150 are separated using a material that prevents the base fill material from moving from the bottom chamber 150 to the top chamber 140. In an embodiment, the bottom chamber 150 has a fill port 160 on the outer wall and the arc member 110 has an inflation valve 170 on the outer wall. The bottom of the weighted base always has a curved lower surface 180 which facilitates the self-righting feature of the invention. Between the top chamber 140 and the bottom chamber 150 is a chamber separation 190. This chamber separation 190 must be in the lower half of the weighted base 120 and below the top of the curved lower surface 180. Once the bottom chamber 150 is filled with the desired fill substance, the center of mass will be sufficiently low enough in the device that the device is self-righting when a force is applied to the arc member 110 while using the device. In this embodiment, each weighted base 120 is substantially spherical and wider than the arc member 110. In other embodiments, the weighted base could be substantially conical, substantially cubical, or another shape so long as the weighted base 120 has a curved lower surface 180. The weighted base 120 has a centerline 210, which is approximately halfway between the top of the weighted base 120 and the bottom of the weighted base.

In one embodiment, the arc member 110 is comprised of a flexible, soft, and airtight material that will remain generally rigid and upright when inflated. In this embodiment, the arc member 110 will have an inflation valve 170. The width of the arc member 110 will be sufficient to allow for the arc member 110 to stand upright when fully inflated and will be dependent on the type of material used to make the device, generally two to eight inches wide. In another embodiment, the arc 110 is made from a lightweight, semi-rigid material, such as high-density foam, that will hold the arc shape when coupled to the weighted bases 120. In another embodiment, the arc member 110 is comprised of a lightweight fabric with a spring frame attached inside. The spring frame can be compressed to fold essentially flat for storage and transport but will pop out into the arc member 110 shape once the compression is removed.

The weighted bases 120 can be made of various materials, including the same lightweight, flexible, airtight material discussed above for the arc members 110. More rigid materials, such as thermoset plastics, are also contemplated for the weighted bases 120. In another embodiment, the weighted bases are comprised of a lightweight fabric with a spring frame attached inside. The spring frame can be compressed to fold essentially flat for storage and transport but will pop out into the weighted base 120 shape once the compression is removed. One of reasonable skill in the relevant art of material science will recognize that many suitable materials exist that can be used for forming the arc member 110 and the weighted base 120 as described herein.

In one embodiment, the top chamber 140 and bottom chamber 150 are separated by an airtight material. Other embodiments are contemplated, such as when a high-density foam is used for the arc member 110 and a rigid plastic used for the weighted bases 120, that do not require the chamber separation 190 be an airtight material. The top chamber 140 will be filled with air upon inflation or remain hollow depending on the material selected for the weighted bases 120. The bottom chamber 150 can be filled with water, sand, a combination thereof, or other suitable base fill material.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment of the invention where both the arc member 110 and the weighted bases 120 are made out of a soft, flexible, airtight material capable of holding shape when filled, such as a PVC fabric. In this embodiment there is no separation between arc member 110 and the top chamber 140, allowing both to be inflated using the inflation valve 170 which is in the sidewall of the arc member 110. In this embodiment of the invention, the device has welded seams 230 at various locations including, but not limited to, the arc member 110, the centerline 210 of the weighted bases 120, and to attach the fill port 160 and the inflation valve 170. Depending on the selected material and manufacturing process, the device can have welded seams 230 or use another method to bond the seams, including, but not limited to, glued seams.

The bottom chamber 150 includes a fill port 160 on the outer wall and includes a fill port cap 220. The fill port cap 220 can be attached to the fill port 160 as shown in FIG. 2, or it can be a separate piece. The fill port cap 220 is made of a material sufficient to create a seal with the fill port 160 to hold the fill material inside the bottom chamber 150 until the fill port cap 220 is removed. One benefit to this embodiment of the invention is that it can be deflated and the fill material removed, allowing the device to be rolled or stored in a compact and lightweight form, taking up little room in a backpack or storage container. Multiple devices can be transported easily and efficiently in a small backpack, allowing the user to setup a drill or course that requires the player to change direction, approach from different angles, and other scenarios that will increase the player's ability and confidence in performing the crossover dribble skill.

With the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2., the base fill material is selected, inserted, and removed by the user. Users may prefer water as the base fill material as it is often readily available and offers simplicity to fill and empty out the weighted base 120. Other users may elect to use sand or another substance with a higher density resulting in a heavier base when filled. A heavier weighted base 120 allows the device to remain in place and self-right even when hit with a stronger force. In another embodiment, the bottom chamber 150 would be filled and sealed during manufacture, thereby eliminating the need for a fill port 160 and fill port cap 220.

FIG. 3 is diagram illustration of an embodiment of the invention, showing a sideview of the crossover training device 100. One of the features of the invention is that the device is self-righting. When the arc member 110 is contacted by a force, such as a hand or a basketball, the device will pivot from a vertical stance to a more horizontal stance but then right itself. This is caused by the chamber separation 190 being low in the weighted base 120, creating a low center of gravity when the bottom chamber 150 is filled and the top chamber 140 remains empty. Regardless of where the pivot point is on the curved lower surface 180 when the invention is pushed on its side, the lower center of gravity will pivot the device back to its upright starting position. Although the embodiment in FIG. 3 shows a substantially spherical weighted base 120, the invention is not limited to spherical bases. Other shapes are contemplated as long as they have a curved lower surface 180.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustration of the self-righting feature of the crossover dribble device. When a force is applied to the arc member 110 by a basketball, hand, or other object, the invention will tip on its side but the curved lower surface 180 and filled bottom chamber 150 will cause the invention to right itself. This is due to the low center of gravity created when the bottom chamber 150 is filled but the top chamber 140 remains empty being closer to the center of the curved lower surface 180 than pivot point where the curved lower surface contacts the floor. Additionally, the invention is relatively quiet when a force is applied to it. Between the self-righting feature and the types of material used to create the invention, there is no loud crash against the floor which would startle or disrupt a player. Efficiencies are gained in teaching the crossover dribble skill when players can complete a drill or practice series without interruption or having to restart.

FIG. 5a and FIG. 5b are diagram illustrations of how users of various ages, heights, and skill levels can use the invention. In FIG. 5a, player 1 510 shows how a younger and shorter player would use the invention, and in this example, he is approaching the crossover dribble device at a small offset. The hand of player 1 510 is on the side of the ball to push the ball through the arc member 110, indicating how the invention assists in teaching that the crossover dribble skill has a significant horizontal component. Player 2 520 shows an older and taller player using the invention. Similar to player 1 510, player 2 520 is shown in a low crouch with his hand on the side of the basketball to push the ball through the arc member with a significant horizontal component. FIG. 5a. also illustrates the use of more than one crossover dribble device set-up as a drill or course where players would follow one after the other. It also highlights how a self-righting device would provide benefit in allowing the drill, in this example a drill with multiple players, to continue without having to stop or pause the drill to reset a devices knocked over by one of the players. This makes for more efficient training sessions. FIG. 5b is a diagram illustration of how the device would be used. Player 3 530 is in-line with the device, conducting a static drill with the invention. Player 3 530 is pushing the ball back-and-forth, in a low and tight manner crossing the ball from her left hand to her right hand. In the event player 3 530 were to push the ball or her hand into the invention, the self-righting feature would quickly pop the invention back up to its upright position, allowing player 3 530 to continue the drill without having to stop, set down the ball, reset the training device, and then pick up the ball to continue with the drill.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustration of an embodiment of the invention from a top-view perspective. In this embodiment, each weighted base 120 is substantially spherical and wider than the arc member 110. In other embodiments, the weighted base could be substantially conical, substantially cubical, or another shape so long as the weighted base 120 has a curved lower surface 180.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustration of one embodiment of the invention, a bottom view of the device. In one embodiment of the invention, a non-skid or slip-resistant material 710 is coupled to the curved lower surface 180 of the weighted bases 120 where the weighted base 120 makes contact with the floor or outdoor surface. This non-skid or slip resistant material 710 covers the curved lower surface 180 of the weighted base 120 and allows it to substantially maintain the curved shape. The non-skid or slip-resistant material 710 allows the device to be used on a variety of surfaces such as a smooth wood floor, an outdoor court surface, a driveway, road, or dirt driveway, without damage or alteration to the floor or surface.

While there have been described above the principles of the present invention in conjunction with a dribble crossover training device, it is to be clearly understood that the foregoing description is made only by way of example and not as a limitation to the scope of the invention. Particularly, it is recognized that the teachings of the foregoing disclosure will suggest other modifications to those persons skilled in the relevant art. Such modifications may involve other features that are already known per se, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein. Although claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure herein also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization or modification thereof which would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art, whether or not such relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as confronted by the present invention. The Applicant hereby reserves the right to formulate claims to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.

Claims

1. A basketball teaching device, comprising:

an arc member, describing an arc of approximately 180 degrees, having a substantially circular body of a diameter between two to eight inches and terminating in a first end and a second end that are each in a same plane when the arc member is upright with a center diameter of the arc member at a right angle to the plane, a height from the plane to a topmost center diameter of the arc member being approximately twelve to twenty-four inches;

a first weighted base and a second weighted base, coupled to the first and the second end of the arc member, respectively, each of the weighted bases having a curved lower surface, and a top internal chamber and a bottom internal chamber.