GB2108855A

GB2108855A - Ball training device

Info

Publication number: GB2108855A
Application number: GB08230996A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keith Riley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-10-29
Filing date: 1982-10-29
Publication date: 1983-05-25

Abstract

The device comprises an adaptor 50, 52, 54 arranged for secure insertion into the inflation valve or like hole of an inflatable ball. One end of an elastic cord 47 is knotted inside a connector 46 which is arranged to snap fit on to the upper part 52 of the adaptor. Additional attachment means 48 link the connector and adaptor to keep the ball captive if the snap fit comes undone. The device includes a cover 44 so that no protrusions which might cause injury are proud of the surface 25 of the ball and the cover 44. The adaptor may alternatively be as shown in Fig. 1 and a number of such adaptors of different sizes may be moulded as snap-off parts of an integral unit. In a further embodiment, the adaptor is screw-threaded and has an integral head portion adapted for the snap fitting screw of a separate annular connecter provided with a socket for retaining the knotted end of a cord. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ball training devices The invention relates to training devices for use with ball games, and in particular to a training device for use in rendering an inflatable ball captive.

Many ball training devices are known involving the use of captive balls, for example for use in golf training, tennis training, and the like.

It is also known to provide captive inflatable balls, for example for use in football training.

However each known captive ball requires sophisticated means for attaching the cord or like device to render the ball captive. It is of course important that the attachment is very secure, and the attachment usually has to be provided during manufacture of the ball. With inflatable balls for example, it may be necessary to provide a specially thickened or reinforced area in the wall of the ball, the reinforced or thickened area having an integral loop, tag or the like to which a cord can be fastened.

I have now developed a ball training device which can not only be used with new inflatable balls but can also readily be used by purchasers of the device to convert existing inflatable balls to captive balls.

The invention provides a ball training device comprising an adaptor arranged for secure insertion into the inflation valve of an inflatable ball, the adaptor having means for attaching a cord to render the ball captive.

Preferably the adaptor is provided in combination with a cord and the cord is preferably elastic.

Where, as is usually the case, the inflation valve has internal screw threads, the adaptor may be provided with a screw-threades shank which can be securely screwed into the inflation valve.

Alternatively, the adaptor may be arranged to snap-fit into the valve.

For example the adaptor may have a shank having one or more projections thereon to snap past the screw threads of the valve.

The or each projection may comprise an annular rib extending around the shank.

The or each rib may have an inclined leading edge to assist the rib in snapping past the screw threads.

The adaptor may have a head with a hole therethrough so that the cord may be secured to the adaptor by passing it through the hole.

Preferably the adaptor is moulded from plastics material, for example DELRIN.

Preferably a set of adaptors is provided, each to fit a different form of valve.

Preferably, the adaptors of the set are all moulded as a single integral unit so that a purchaser of the unit can snap or cut off the adaptor that they require for their particular ball and fit the cord to that adaptor.

The unit may be provided with means to indicate the ball for which each adaptor is suitable.

The unit may be provided with tags or like indicating means, one positioned adjacent to each adaptor of the set.

According to a further aspect of my invention, the means for attaching the cord to the adaptor may comprise a connector.

The connector and adaptor may be such that they can be press or snap fitted together, or may be connectable together in any other way which does not require the use of tools.

The connector may be arranged to plug, screw or snap into the adaptor, but it is preferred that the connector is arranged to snap over the adaptor.

The adaptor may have an enlarged head which protrudes from the ball in use and can be snapped into a socket in the connector.

Preferably the connector is such that when tension is applied to the cord, this tends to make the connector grip the adaptor more tightly.

The connector may be made of flexible plastics material, the connector having a lip which engages under the enlarged head of the adaptor, tension on the cord causing the connector to flex in a manner which drives the lip towards the adaptor.

The connector may be arranged to trap one end of the cord between the connector and the adaptor, or secure the cord to the connector or adaptor in any other way which does not require the use of tools.

The connector may have a socket arranged to receive a knot at one end of the cord.

Preferably the connector is provided with a cover fitting over the connector and adaptor, so that no protrusions which might cause injury are proud of the surface of the ball and the cover.

The cover may comprise a flattened, hollow cone of plastics material which is provided with a hole to allow passage of the cord, and which fits on to the connector.

The cover may be attached permanently to the connector.

The cover and the connector may be an integral formation.

Preferably the connector is arranged to releasably fasten on to the adaptor but has additional attachment means linking the connector with the adaptor to keep the ball captive if the releasable fastening should accidentally come undone.

The additional attachment may comprise a flexible member which connects the connector and the adaptor.

One end of the flexible member may be attached to the cover.

The adaptor may be formed in two parts, namely a first part attachable to the connector and a second part for inserting into a hole in the ball.

The second part may comprise a screw which can be passed through the first part and into the hole in the ball.

It is not essential for the adaptor to be inserted into the inflation valve itself, and it may be inserted into the hole in the ball which receives the inflation valve, or into another hole specially provided in the ball.

If desired the hole may be provided with any desired thread, rib, or other snap fitting, poppit, or press-stud form of retention.

The hole may be provided in the wall of the ball itself, or in an insert or attachment to the ball.

The invention includes a form of connection in which a press-stud is moulded on or in the ball, or is otherwise secured to the ball, for example by welding or adhesive, and the connector is a snap fit over the press-stud.

A shaped hole may be provided, the adaptor being shaped so that it has a keying effect. For example the hole may be elongate, and the adaptor may also be elongate so that the adaptor can be passed through the elongate hole, and then twisted about an axis perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, so that the adaptor cannot subsequently be pulled out of the hole by means of tension on the cord.

The cord may have a termination which has any shape compatible with the above or any variation of the above which will lock either permanently or temporarily into any shape of cavity.

A handle may be provided for attachment to the other end of the cord. The handle may comprise a ring (e.g. a D-ring), a hand grip (e.g. an appropriately shaped toggle), or any other device which can readily and securably be gripped in the hand. The handle may for example be in the form of a miniature football, for example moulded from plastics material and being of 1" to 2" in diameter.

The cord may be permanently secured to the handle, for example by tying the cord to the handle, or alternatively a second connector may be provided for use in connecting the cord to the handle. The second connector may operate in a similar manner to the first connector.

The handle may have a socket therein arranged to receive a knot at one end of the cord.

The handle and connector or connectors may be included in a package for sale to customers, for example a bubble pack.

It is not essential that plastics material be used for parts of the ball training device and at least some of the parts may be of metal, for example steel. The adaptor may for example be of steel.

The cord may pass through a flexible tube which is attached to the handle, the length of the tube being substantially equal to that of the unextended length of the cord, so that if the ball ceases to become captive, the part of the cord remaining attached to the handle will retract into the tube, thus reducing the risk that the cord will strike the user.

By way of example, specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is-a view of one embodiment of ball training device according to the invention; Figure 2 illustrates the device of Figure 1 in use; Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of ball training device according to the invention; Figure 4 is a cross-section through yet another embodiment of ball training device according to the invention; Figures 5 to 8 show various forms of hole with which an adaptor according to the invention may be used; Figure 9 is a cross-section illustrating a further embodiment according to the invention; Figure 10 is a perspective view illustrating yet another embodiment according to the invention;; Figure 11 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the invention, not attached to a ball; and Figure 12 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 11 when attached to a ball, ready for use.

The ball training device shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises an adaptor 10 and a length of rubber cord 11.

The adaptor 10, which is moulded from nylon plastics material such as DELRIN, comprises a head 12 and a shank 13. The head 12 has a hole 14 therethrough, and one end of the cord 11 is threaded through the hole 14 and knotted at 1 5 to secure the end of the cord to the adaptor.

The shank 13 has a plurality of annular ribs 16 extending around the shank. Each rib 1 6 has a leading edge which is inclined at an angie to the longitudinal axis of the shank.

Most inflatable footballs are provided with an inflation valve which has internal screw threads.

The shank 13 of the adaptor shown in Figure 1 can be snap-fitted into a correspondingly sized valve, the ribs 1 6 snapping past the screw threads to securely retain the shank of the adaptor within the valve. The cord 11 is thus securely attached to the ball, to provide a captive ball 17 as shown in Figure 2. Since the valve, and hence the adaptor, is very small in relation to the size of the ball, the head 12 only protrudes very slightly from the surface of the ball and does not in any way prevent the use of the ball as a captive ball trainer.

Different makes, and/or different sizes of ball may have different types and different sizes of valve. The embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 3 comprises a simpie pack which can be purchased by an owner of an inflatable ball for use in converting their ball into a captive ball.

Four different adaptors 1 8 are moulded as part of a single integral unit 1 9. Each adaptor is designed to securely fit into a different size and/or thread formation of a valve.

The adaptors are joined together by a sprue 20 and between the sprue and each adaptor is an identification tag 21. Each tag is marked, either during the moulding process or afterwards, with means to identify the individual tags. In Figure 3, the tags are shown as being type A, type B, type C of type D. However the tags might equally well bear the particular name and model of a ball with which the associated adaptor is intended to be used.

The unit 1 9 is packed in a bubble pack 23 with an appropriate length of elastic cord 24.

A purchaser of the pack merely snaps off the particular adaptor that he requires, press-fits it into their ball, and attaches the cord 24.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. For example the shanks of the adaptors may, if desired, be provided with screw threads, instead of with projections such as the ribs 16, so that the shanks can be screw-threaded into the valves, rather than being snap-fitted into position.

Alternative means may be provided for attaching the elastic cord to the adaptors. The adaptors may for example be such that as they are inserted into the valves, they tighten on the cord.

An adaptor may for example have two tapering halves, the cord being trapped between the halves.

There need not necessarily be four different adaptors. There may be any desired number, for example six.

In Figure 4 reference numeral 25 illustrates the wall of an inflatable football and 26 illustrates the hole in the ball which will normally receive the inflation valve (not shown).

The mouth 27 of the hole 26 is screw-threaded and a moulded plastics adaptor 28 is screwed into this hole, for example with the assistance of a screwdriver slot 28a provided in the enlarged head 29 of the adaptor.

Once the adaptor has been fitted into the ball, a connector 30 of soft polythene is snapped over the head 29.

The connector 30 has a socket 31 therein, the mouth of this socket being defined by an annular inwardiy extending lip 32 which engages underneath the enlarged head 29. There is a hole 32a leading from the socket 31 and before the connector is snapped onto the adaptor a knot 33 is tied in the end of the cord 24 and the cord is threaded through the hole 32a to trap the knot 33 in the socket 31.

It will be seen that the shape of the connector is such that when tension is applied to the cord 24, this tends to pull the portions 24 of the connector outwardly. This causes the connector to flex in a manner which forces the lip 32 radially inwardly, so that the greater the tension on the cord 24, the more the connector grips the adaptor.

In a preferred embodiment a series of the adaptors, each to suit a different ball, are provided as a single integral unit similar to the unit 19 shown in Figure 3. The unit is packaged in a bubble pack together with a length of cord, a connector 30, and a handle in the form of a toggle, one face of the toggle being provided with fingergrips and the toggle having a socket to receive a knot in the other end of the cord. Although each adaptor will have a different form of screw-thread to suit a particular ball, all the adaptors will have the same size of head so that whichever adaptor is selected by a user, the single connector 30 can be attached to the adaptor.

Figures 5 to 7 show various forms of hole with which an adaptor according to the invention may be used. The hole may be arranged at the mouth of the hole which normally receives the inflation valve, or the hole may be specially provided at some other location.

Figure 5 shows a moulded screw-threaded hole.

Figure 6 shows a hole having a series of annular ribs, each rib having an inclined lead-in to facilitate the snap fitting of an adaptor.

Figure 7 shows a hole having an annular recess therein, for example to receive an adaptor in the form of a poppit or press-stud.

Instead of being provided in the wall of the ball itself, the hole may be provided in an insert or attachment to the ball, for example as shown in Figure 8. In Figure 8 a tapered insert 35 is used, the insert being fitted into position from the interior of the ball, to reduce the risk that the insert will pull out, and any desired form of hole 36 may be provided in the insert 35.

Alternatively, instead of providing the insert with a hole, the insert may be provided with one or more projections, for example an enlarged head 37 as shown in Figure 9. A connector 38 can then be snap-fitted over the head 37.

Figure 10 shows yet another form of hole which may be provided, for example on a fitting on the ball, or in the outer skin of a double-skinned portion of the ball. The hole 39 is elongate and the underside of the outer skin of the ball has an elongage recess 40 therein extending at right angles to the hole 39. The adaptor comprises an elongate key 41 having a lug 42 thereon. The key 41 can be passed through the hole 39, twisted through 90 , and then pulled outwardly slightly to seat the key 41 in the groove 40. The cord is attached to the lug 42.

Alternatively, the key 41 might be used with a hole having a shape such that the key 41 can be passed through the hole in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the key 41, and the key 41 can then be tilted into a position in which it lies along the underside of the outer skin of the ball, it not being possible to remove the key by movement in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the key.

In another particularly effective embodiment as shown in Figures 11 and 12, a smooth, deformable substantially conical cover 44 is formed integrally with the connector 46 so that no hard protrusions are presented to the user of the device. A hole 45 is provided through the top of the connector 46 for the cord 47. At the base of the cover is attached a resilient strip 48, the strip 48 terminating in a formation 50, 52, part 52 of which is shaped to snap-fit into the connector 46.

The formation 50, 52 together with a screw 54, constitute the adaptor. The head 56 of the screw 54 is received in a seating 58 in the formation.

The screw when inserted into a ball urges the formation 50, 52 against the surface 25 of the ball and hence holds the connector and cover in position. The connector 46, cover 44, resilient strip 48 and formation 50, 52 are formed as an integral unit in plastics material, and are constructed so that when the upper part 52 of the formation and the connector 46 are not snapped together, access can be gained to the underside of the connector 46, as shown in Figure 11, so that the cord 47 can be inserted through the hole 45 and then knotted with the knot fitting neatly within the connector.

Thus to arrange the training device for use, the screw 54 is passed through the formation 50, 52 and screwed into a hole in the ball 25. The elastic cord is then fitted in position and knotted. Finally the connector 46 is snapped over the formation 50, 52 so that the resilient cover 44 conceals the adaptor.

Should the device be used so vigorously that the connector pulls off the adaptor, the connector will not tend to spring back and injure the user, because it will still be attached to the adaptor by the resilient strap 48.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. For example, the cord may pass through a flexible tube which is attached to the handle and whose length is substantially equal to the unstretched length of the cord, so that if the ball should break loose, the part of the cord attached to the handle will retract into the tube and will not strike the user.

Claims

1. A ball training device comprising an adaptor arranged for secure insertion into the inflation valve of an inflatable ball, the adaptor having means for attaching a cord to render the ball captive.

2. A ball training device as claimed in claim 1, in which the adaptor is provided in combination with a cord.

3. A ball training device as claimed in claim 2, in which the cord is elastic.

4. A ball training device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the adaptor is provided with a screw-threaded shank which can be securely screwed into the inflation valve.

5. A ball training device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the adaptor is arranged to snap-fit into the valve.

6. A ball training device as claimed in claim 5, in which the adaptor has a shank having one or more projections thereon to snap past the screw threads of the valve.

7. A ball training device as claimed in claim 6, in which the or each projection comprises an annular rib extending around the shank.

8. A ball training device as claimed in claim 7, in which the or each rib has an inclined leading edge to assist the rib in snapping past the screw threads.

9. A ball training device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the adaptor has a head with a hole therethrough so that the cord may be secured to the adaptor by passing it through the hole.

10. A ball training device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the adaptor is moulded from plastics material.

11. A ball training device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a set of adaptors is provided, each to fit a different form of valve.

12. A ball training device as claimed in claim 11, in which the adaptors of the set are all moulded as a single integral unit so that a purchaser of the unit can snap or cut off the adaptor that they require for their particular bail and fit the cord to that adaptor.

13. A ball training device as claimed in claim 12, in which the unit is provided with means to indicate the ball for which each adaptor is suitable.

14. A ball training device as claimed in claim 13, in which the unit is provided with tags or like indicating means, one positioned adjacent to each adaptor of the set.

1 5. A ball training device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the means for attaching the cord to the adaptor comprises a connector.

1 6. A ball training device as claimed in claim 15, in which the connector and adaptor are such that they are connectable together in any way which does not require the use of tools.

17. A ball training device as claimed in claim 16, in which the connector and adaptor can be press or snap fitted together.

1 8. A ball training device as claimed in claim 16, in which the connector is arranged to plug, screw of snap into the adaptor.

1 9. A ball training device as claimed in claim 17, in which the connector is arranged to snap over the adaptor.

20. A ball training device as claimed in claim 19, in which the adaptor has an enlarged head which protrudes from the ball in use and can be snapped into a socket around the connector.

21. A ball training device as claimed in any one of claims 1 5 to 20, in which the connector is such that when tension is applied to the cord, this tends to make the connector grip the adaptor more tightly.

22. A ball training device as claimed in any one of claims 1 5 two 20, in which the connector is made of plastics material.

23. A ball training device as claimed in claim 20, or any one of claims 21 and 22 when dependent on claim 20, in which the connector has a lip which engages under the enlarged head of the adaptor, tension on the cord causing the connector to flex in a manner which drives the lip towards the adaptor.

24. A ball training device as claimed in any one of claims 1 5 to 23, in which the connector is arranged to secure the cord to the connector or adaptor in any way which does not require the use of tools.

25. A ball training device as claimed in claim 24, in which the connector is arranged to trap one end of the cord between the connector and the adaptor.

26. A ball training device as claimed in claim 25, in which the connector has a socket arranged to receive a knot atone end of the cord.

27. A ball training device as claimed in any one of claims 1 5 to 26, in which the connector is provided with a cover fitting over the connector and adaptor, so that no protrusions which might cause injury are proud of the surface of the ball and the cover.

28. A ball training device as claimed in claim 27, in which the cover comprises a flattened, hollow cone of plastics material which is provided with a hole to allow passage of the cord, and which fits on to the connector.

29. A ball training device as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28, in which the cover is attached permanently to the connector.

30. A ball training device as claimed in claim 29, in which the cover and the connector are an integral formation.

31. A ball training device as claimed in any one of claims 1 5 to 30, in which the connector is arranged to reieasably fasten on to the adaptor but has additional attachment means linking the connector with the adaptor to keep the ball captive if the releasable fastening should accidentally come undone.

32. A ball training device as claimed in claim 31, in which the additional attachment means comprises a flexible member which connects the connector and the adaptor.

33. A ball training device as claimed in claim 32, when dependent on any one of claims 29 to 31, in which one end of the flexible member is attached to the cover.

34. A ball training device as claimed in any one of claims 1 5 to 33, in which the adaptor is formed in two parts, namely a first part attachable to the connector and a second part for inserting into a hole in the ball.

35. A ball training device as claimed in claim 34, in which the second part comprises a screw which can be passed through the first part and into the hole in the ball.

36. A ball training device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which a handle is provided for attachment to the other end of the cord.

37. A ball training device as claimed in claim 36, in which the handle comprises a ring, a hand grip, or any other device which can be readily and securably gripped in the hand.

38. A ball training device as claimed in claim 36, in which the handle is in the form of a miniature football.

39. A ball training device as claimed in any one of claims 36 to 38, in which the cord is permanently secured to the handle.

40. A ball training device as claimed in any one of claims 36 to 39, in which a second connector is provided for use in connecting the cord to the handle.

41. A ball training device as claimed in claim 40, in which the second connector operates in a similar manner to the first connector.

42. A ball training device as claimed in any one of claims 36 to 41, in which the handle has a socket therein arranged to receive a knot in one end of the cord.

43. A ball training device as claimed in any one of claims 36 to 42, in which the handle and connector or connectors are included in a package for sale to customers.

44. A ball training device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the adaptor is of steel.

45. A ball training device as claimed in any one of claims 36 to 44 when dependent directly or indirectly on claim 3, in which the cord passes through a flexible tube which is attached to the handle, the length of the tube being substantially equal to that of the unextended length of the cord, so that if the ball ceases to become captive, the part of the cord remaining attached to the handle will retract into the tube, thus reducing the risk that the cord will strike the user.

46. A ball training device constructed and arranged substantially as herein described, with reference to Figures 1 and 2, or any one of Figures 4 to 10, or Figures 11 and 12, of the accompanying drawings.