Patent · US Expired

Tennis trainer device

US4191372A · kind A · utility

29Cited by
6References
8Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 24, 1978
Grant dateMar 4, 1980
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 24, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY10S273/30
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A tennis training device for releasably holding a tennis ball at any height appropriate for the practice of serves and ground strokes is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a base and standard for the support of a cross arm from which depends a cord attached by suitable means to a regular tennis ball. A mass member is attached to the cord at a distance above the ball in the described embodiment to prevent the wrapping of the cord about the cross arm when the ball is hit. The mass member is enclosed in an elongated member which is attached along its entire length to the cord, thus further minimizing cord wraps. The fastening means uses a hook material, Velcro or the like, as a means for lightly gripping the ball, but allowing it to release easily when hit so that the trajectory of the ball is not affected by the presence of the fastening means. The cross arm member is manufactured from a single aluminum tube and is angled downward toward its free end so that wraps of cord on the cross arm will tend to fall off. To practice serving, the tennis ball is positioned at a height of about nine feet. After the tennis ball is hit, the fastening means may also be left at a lowered position for…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.