KLIMCKE, Andrew, E., S. (9 Bonser Road, Strawberry Hill, Twickenham TW1 4RQ, GB)
| CLAIMS: 1. A cricket practise apparatus comprising at least one panel for displaying a background representation and at least one element to be mounted on the background panel. 2. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the panel comprises means for mounting the panel on a cricket net. 3. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the mounting means comprises a plurality of eyelets for securing the panel to a cricket net. 4. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the panel comprises means for suspending the panel from a cricket net supporting rail. 5. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein the background representation on the panel includes a representation of a horizon line. 6. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein the background representation includes a representation of a boundary rope. 7. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein the panel includes means for mounting said at least one element. 8. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for mounting the at least one element is an opening in the panel 9. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the means for mounting the at least one element is one half of a hook and loop fastener. 10. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein the panel comprises one or more indications of a position for mounting an element, which position is representative of the location of a fielding position. 11. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in claim 105 wherein the position of a mounting for mounting said at least one element indicates the location of a fielding position. 12. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein the at least one element comprises means for mounting the element on said panel. 13. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the means for mounting comprises one or more of a support member to be received by an opening in the panel or one half of a hook and loop fastener. 14. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein said at least one element includes a representation of a fielder. 15. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein said at least one element is in the shape of a fielder. 16. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim, wherein there is provided a plurality of elements. 17. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one of said plurality of elements or the representation on said at least one element, is of a different size to at least a second element or the representation on the second element. 18. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the elements correspond to field positions, such that field positions that are further away from the batsman are indicated by an element or representation of a smaller size. 19. A cricket practise apparatus as claimed in any one preceding claim and comprising a plurality of said panels. 20. A cricket practise apparatus comprising a plurality of elements for mounting on a panel mounted in a cricketing net, each of the elements including a representation, wherein at least one element or representation is of a different size to at least one other element so as to indicate the relative distance from a batsman of a fielding position by locating the elements on said net or panel in positions representing different fielding positions. |
This invention relates to apparatus for use in cricket practise and, in particular for use with so called cricket nets. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Cricket is a bat-and-ball team sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries. A cricket match is contested by two teams, each team usually having eleven players, and is played on a grass field in the centre of which is a flat strip of ground called a pitch or track, which is 22 yards (20 m) long. A wicket, usually made of wood, is placed at each end of the pitch and used as a target. One team is the batting team and with a bat they have to hit a ball bowled by the batting team. The batting team have to try and score runs, that is by hitting the ball and running between the wickets, while the fielding team aims to get the batting team out by hitting the wicket.
Cricketers commonly practise in 'nets' whereby two persons, a batsman and a bowler can practise their skills without the need for two full teams of players and a cricket field. Nets commonly comprise the 22 yard pitch or track with netting substantially surrounding the pitch or track. The netting of the nets serve one function of preventing the balls travelling long distances after being hit so that balls can be retrieved more quickly. Hence, it is appreciated that the term nets refers to the training apparatus as a whole rather than just the netted material which is used to prevent the balls travelling long distances. Cricket nets are, therefore, common at cricketing centres such as cricket stadiums and sports grounds. Many schools also have cricket nets where cricket is popular.
Cricket nets can be provided indoors or outdoors and there is generally more than one track surrounded by nets on both sides. Outdoors it is also necessary to have a net behind the batsman to prevent balls escaping behind the batsman. Indoor nets do not require a net behind the batsman but one is commonly provided so that balls landing behind the batsman are held by the net and do not bounce off a wall or other structure behind the batsman.
Outdoor nets will commonly be permanent and may be made from stiff wire, whereas indoor nets are commonly made from thin netting so that they can be retracted. For example, the nets may be suspended from parallel runners and may be retracted in a similar manner to drawing curtains.
Thus, although cricket nets come in many different forms, including different materials and different constructions, whether the nets are of thin netting or stiff wire mesh, the basic set up is the same, two parallel nets spaced slightly further apart than a standard cricket pitch.
While cricket nets provide a way in which cricketers can practise batting and bowling without the need for two full teams, the batsman, in particular does not gain much experience of the aiming required by a batsman when playing a real game of cricket. A Cricket practise aid has been suggested, for example, in AU-A-2003100878, which discloses cricket training apparatus for use in cricket nets that comprises a target shaped device that is attached to the walls of the cricket net by a mechanism that allows for secure, non-permanent mounting. The target device is positioned on the net wall in such positions such that when a player hits a ball and strikes the target device it simulates the shot having been made in a way that can be gauged as either a good or a bad shot.
The above disclosure does not solve the problem relating to the absence of a point of reference and does not simulate match conditions. It is an object of the present invention to provide a cricket practise aid that helps to provide a batsman with more practical experience to improve the batsman real match play.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention proposes a visual field map that may be temporarily attached (by any means) to the netting of an indoor or outdoor cricket net. The visual field map consists of two elements.
The first of these elements is the Background - This is a picture / representation of any cricket field / background that is taken from the point and perspective of a batsman standing in their normal batting position; this is used to give perspective and depth to the cricket net situation. Printed / indicated on this background are markers as to where the "fielders" are placed to ensure that the correct perspective and position according to the batters normal point of view / stance at a batting crease.
The second of these elements is the Fielders - Each player / figure is attached to the background but is removable and moveable within the constraints and the restrictions of a conventional cricket net. Each player is printed in accordance with correct perspective and positioning on a cricket field thus giving the batsman a more realistic environment in which to practice and the coach a much greater freedom to set fields according to bowler / batsman requirements.
A cricket practise apparatus comprises at least one panel for displaying a background representation, such as a representation of a cricket ground, and at least one element to be mounted on the background panel. The element to be mounted on the panel represents a fielder at a fielding position and a plurality of such elements can be provided for mounting at different positions on the panel or on a further panel. The elements to be mounted on the panel may be of different sizes to indicate the relative distance from the batsman of the fielding position using a perspective effect.
The panel may comprise means for mounting the panel on a cricket net. The mounting means may comprise a plurality of eyelets for securing the panel to a cricket net.
The panel may comprise means for suspending the panel from a cricket net supporting rail.
The background representation on the panel may include a representation of a horizon line. The background representation includes a representation of a boundary rope.
The panel may include means for mounting said at least one element. The means for mounting the at least one element may be an opening in the panel. The means for mounting the at least one element may be one half of a hook and loop fastener. The panel may comprise one or more indications of a position for mounting an element, which position is representative of the location of a fielding position. The position of a mounting for mounting said at least one element may indicates the location of a fielding position.
The at least one element may comprise means for mounting the element on said panel. The means for mounting may be a support member to be received by an opening in the panel, or one half of a hook and loop fastener.
The at least one element may include a representation of a fielder. The at least one element may be in the shape of a fielder.
There may be provided a plurality of elements. At least one of said plurality of elements or the representation on said at least one element, may be of a different size to at least a second element or the representation on the second element. The elements may correspond to field positions, such that field positions that are further away from the batsman are indicated by an element or representation of a smaller size. Conversely, field positions that are closer to the batsman are represented using elements or representation on the elements that are larger than those representing fielding positions that are further away.
The invention also provides a plurality of elements for mounting on a panel mounted in a cricketing net, each of the elements including a representation, wherein at least one element or representation is of a different size to at least one other element so as to indicate the relative distance from a batsman of a fielding position by locating the elements on said net or panel in positions representing different fielding positions. The elements may correspond to field positions, such that field positions that are further away from the batsman are indicated by an element or representation of a smaller size. Conversely, field positions that are closer to the batsman are represented using elements or representation on the elements that are larger than those representing fielding positions that are further away.
BRIEF DESCRITPION OF DRAWINGS
The invention will be described in more detail and by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a representation of a panel in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows a selection of mounting elements, for mounting on the panel of figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic of the element of figure 2 mounted on the panel of figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic of an alternative arrangement to that shown in Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a schematic of a side view of a cricket net having two panels mounted thereon and examples or the mounting elements in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 is an example of a panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The panel, I 3 is made from any suitable material on which background art can be printed. In the embodiment shown in figure 1, the panel is delineated into two parts, a bottom portion, 2, showing the cricket field up to the horizon line, 4, and a top portion, 3, showing a representation of what might be seen above the horizon line, 4. The portions, 2, 3, may simply be green and blue coloured portions respectively. It is envisaged that the panel or panels may have a representation of an actual or imaginary cricket ground complete with pavilion, stands and advertising boards. In figure 1, the bottom portion, 2, includes a representation of the boundary rope, 5, on the cricket field for added realism.
The panel, 1, may be made of a cloth mesh, pvc mesh, close weave netting, or any other suitable material on which a background may be depicted by any form of printing or art work including photographic techniques.
Figure 1 also shows an example of mounting means for the panel, 1. In this embodiment the panel, 1, includes eyelets 6, which may be included in a hemmed portion of the panel for mounting on a cricket net. The panel may be mounted on the net in any convenient manner. Alternatively the panel, 1, may be suspended independently of the net either in front or behind the net. As an alternative the panel of the invention having background art printed thereon can replace a traditional cricket net and be suspended on the existing support structure.
Figure 2 shows a selection of 'fielders', that is elements or markers, 7, or targets that can be mounted on the panel, 1, of the invention. The term Figure 2 is schematic, the fielders being shown as stick figures. The representations can be as life-like as desired, including the fielders represented adopting different positions and/or fielders represented by actual or imaginary players. Figure 2 shows three different examples of markers, 7, of different heights. The height of the marker, 7, depends on how far away the fielder being represented would be from the batsman. Thus the position of "third man" is further away from the bats man than the position or "cover point", which in turn is further away from the batsman than the position of "short cover". Thus, in order to indicate the distance from the batsman within the confines of the cricket net, the fielders are shown as different sizes.
The markers, 7, can be mounted on the panel in any convenient manner, for instance the panel, 1, may be supplied with one portion of a hook and loop attachment mechanism with a corresponding portion of the hook and loop attachment on the back of the marker, 7. Alternatively, the panel, 1, may be provided with openings through which a mounting means on the marker, 7, can be inserted.
The markers, 7, may be made of any suitable material, for example, cloth mesh, pvc mesh, vinyl, card, foam, etc.
It is envisaged that the panel, 1, or panels would include indications of appropriate sites for the fielders to be placed. This may be simply achieved by locating the mounting means such as the opening or hook and loop fastening in the appropriate location. Alternatively, this may be a marking on the panel 1.
In order to determine the relative size of the fielder on the marker, 7, and its location on the panel, 1, it is envisaged that photographs of actual grounds could be used as the background art on the panels. Similarly, a photograph of an actual fielder in position could be used to scale a marker, 7, to provide a representation of the fielder at the correct size when placed in an appropriate position on a panel, 1, mounted on a cricket net. Alternatively the necessary scaling and perspective view could be achieved by computer modelling.
Whilst modern electronic photographic and reprographic processes can produce the necessary images for the panels, 1, and the markers, 7, the same effect can be generated by original artwork. The method of generating the images is not limiting.
Figure 3 shows an example of a side panel, notionally the panel, 1, on the offside, extending back behind the wicket. The panel shows the three markers, 7, from figure 2 in exemplary positions on the panel, 1.
Figure 4 shows an example of a back panel, that is one that might be placed behind the wicket in the net showing four more markers, 7. It is noted in each of figures 3 and 4 that the markers are also positioned appropriately with respect to the horizon line.
Figure 5 is an example of a side view along a cricketing net, showing an embodiment where there are two panels along the side netting. Panel 1 is the panel from figure 3 and panel Ia is a further panel, which continues the background art of the panel 1 to the end of the net. It is noted that the horizon line in each of figures 1, 3, 4, and 5 is shown as a horizontal line, 4. It may be more appropriate to have the horizon line, 4, at an angle to the horizontal if this would better represent the view of the batsman from the batting crease. It can be seen from Figure 5 that in an embodiment there may be five panels, two panels on each side, and one on the back behind the wicket. Of course, in an appropriate case it may be possible to have a panel behind the bowler, which may have means for mounting more markers and may have appropriate artwork, possibly including a sightscreen. The two panels on each side may be replaced by a single long panel.
While the present invention has been described with respect to cricket, it will be appreciated that the present invention could be utilised for various different sports; in particular, other bat and ball games such as baseball, softball or rounders. The reference to a cricket net throughout this application, could therefore equally apply to a baseball net.
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