SYSTEMS AND METHODS

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates generally to tennis training devices and methods. More particularly, the invention relates to tennis devices and methods for training a user to properly serve a tennis ball to commence a game of tennis.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] As is well known in the art, a tennis serve is the stroke that placed the ball in play in a game of tennis. It is often deemed the most important stroke in the game.

[0003] As is also wel l known in the art, a tennis serve is a complicated action that is composed of static and active phases, and inter-related motions therebetween. The object or goal of the serve phases is to hit a tennis ball at a desired position and in a timely manner, whereby the ball is directed to a desired point on the tennis court with the desired rotation or spin.

[0004] The static phase of the serve comprises positioning the body on the court prior to the service stroke. During a flat or basic serve, a player typically initially positions him/her self behind the baseline about two to three feet to the right or left of the center mark or l ine. The player is also positioned sideways to the net with the left foot (of a right-handed player) positioned two to three inches behind the line and their toes pointed toward the net post. The back foot is positioned parallel to the baseline and spread conformably from the front foot.

[0005] As discussed in detail herein, foot placement and movement (during the active phase, discussed below) are key aspects of an effective and consistent serve and are typically varied depending on the type of tennis serve being performed, e.g., topspin, slice, etc.

[0006] The active phase of a tennis serve includes two critical actions: the ball toss and stroke (or service swing). Similar to foot placement, the ball toss is often varied depending on the type of serve being performed. For example, when a flat or basic serve

I is desired, a player typical ly tosses the tennis bal l in front, sl ightly to the right of the leading shou lder, and at least slightly higher than the player can reach with their racquet, whereby the ball can be h it effectively during its downward trajectory.

[0007] When a sl ice serve is desired, the bal l is typical ly tossed in front, and sl ightly closer and further to the right of the leading shoulder than the flat serve toss, and at least slightly h igher than the player can reach with their racquet. When a kick serve is desired, the bal l is typical ly tossed in a backwards arcing motion (from front to landing behind the heel of the back foot) so that the player strikes the bal l when it is crossing over the tossing arm shoulder, and, again, at least sl ightly higher than the player can reach with their racquet.

[0008] The stroke (or service swing) is also a key aspect of an effective tennis serve. As set forth in Appl icant' s Co-pending Appl ication No. 1 2/73 1 ,987, wh ich is

incorporated by reference herein, the single most important aspect of service mechanics is that the service or h itting arm is fully extended upward during the striking motion. Although one m ight think this wou ld be a relatively simple matter to master, most novice (and qu ite a few intermediate) tennis players find this to be qu ite difficult.

[0009] One way that some players force themselves to reach for the bal l at the apex of its toss trajectory is by maintain a straight service arm straight throughout the swing. This "windm i ll" type of serve places a considerable amount of strain on a player' s shoulder and can, and often times will, cause shoulder damage.

[0001 0] Proper service mechan ics thus comprises bending the service arm at the elbow at the in itial stroke position and extending or throwing the lower half of the service arm upward from the bent arm position. With a loose wrist, this causes al l of the energy emanating from a player' s legs, torso and arm to be translated to the racquet, whipping the racquet upward and forward at the ball. The whipping action generates far greater racquet and, thereby, ball speeds.

[0001 1 ] Conversely, if a player performs a service stroke with a straight arm, the racquet speed is dependent upon and, hence, l im ited by how fast the player can rotate their service arm around their shou lder joint. [00012] Despite a plethora of commercially available tennis training devices, there is neither a commercial ly avai lable tenn is train ing device that is designed and adapted to develop proper foot placement and/or ball toss trajectory, nor a train ing system that is designed and adapted to develop proper foot placement and stroke mechanics for perform ing an effecti ve tennis serve.

[000 1 3] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a tennis train ing device that is designed and adapted to develop proper foot placement for perform ing an effective tenn is serve.

[00014] It is another object of the present invention to provide a tenn is training device that is designed and adapted to develop proper bal l toss trajectory for performing an effective tennis serve.

[0001 5] It is another object of the present invention to provide a tenn is training device that is designed and adapted to develop proper foot placement for performing an effective tennis serve and for enhancing the stability of a user's feet during a service stroke.

[0001 6] It is another object of the present invention to provide a tennis training system to develop proper foot placement and stroke mechan ics for perform ing an effective tennis serve.

[0001 7] It is another object of the present invention to provide a tennis training system to develop proper foot placement, bal l toss trajectory and stroke mechan ics for perform ing an effective tennis serve.

[0001 8] These and further objects wi ll be more read ily apparent when considering the fol lowing disclosure.

SUM MA RY OF TH E IN VENTION

[000 19] The present invention is directed to tennis train ing devices, systems and methods for developi ng proper foot placement, ball toss trajectory and stroke mechanics for performi ng an effective tenn is serve. I n accordance with one embodiment of the invention, there is thus provided a foot placement and ball toss platform for developing proper foot placement and movement, and ball toss trajectory during a serve. [00020] In one embodiment of the invention, the platform comprises a substantial ly planar member having a top and bottom surface, the top surface of the platform including foot placement and bal l toss graphics d isposed thereon, the foot placement graph ics including of a first stance position representing right and left foot positions for a right- handed player proximate a first court area (or position), and a second stance position representing right and left foot positions for a right-handed player proximate a second court area, the bal l toss graph ics includ ing at least a first bal l toss target representing a first bal l drop position, i .e. where a tossed bal l wou ld strike the ground if not hit.

[0002 1 ] In some embodiments of the invention, the foot placement graphics include a third stance position representing right and left foot positions for a left-handed player proximate the first court position, and a fourth stance position representing right and left foot positions for the left-handed player proximate the second court area, and the ball toss graphics include a second bal l toss target for the left-handed player.

[00022] In some embodiments of the invention, the bal l toss graphics include third and fourth bal l toss targets representing bal l drop positions for a right-handed player perform ing sl ice and flat serves, and fifth and sixth toss targets representing the ball drop positions for a left-handed player perform ing sl ice and flat serves.

[00023] In some embodiment, the platform includes an anti-skid backing d isposed on the bottom surface.

[00024] In some embod iments, the platform is constructed of a compl iant material selected from the group consisting of closed cell EVA, polyethylene and polyurethane foams.

[00025] I n accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a tennis train ing system comprising the foot placement and bal l toss platform described above and a tennis stroke device. The tennis stroke device having a grip emulating a tennis racquet grip sized to be held by a user, a si ngle flexible umbi l ical having first and second ends, the first end being attached to and emanating from the d istal end of the grip, and a weight attached to the second end of the umbilical. [00026] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, there is also provided a tennis training system comprising the foot placement and ball toss platform, and stroke devices described above, and a ball toss training device. The ball toss device includes a base, adjustable vertical and horizontal supports, and a target hoop.

[00027] As will readily be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, the tennis serve training system of the invention, when properly employed, provides an effective means for developing the key aspects of a serve - foot placement, ball toss or trajectory and service stroke - separately or jointly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[00028] Further features and advantages will become apparent from the following and more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and in which like referenced characters generally refer to the same parts or elements throughout the views, and in which:

[00029] FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a foot placement and ball toss platform, according to the invention;

[00030] FIGURE 2 is a top plan view of the foot placement and ball toss platform shown in FIGURE 1, according to the invention;

[00031 ] FIGURE 3 is a front plan view of the foot placement and ball toss platform shown in FIGURE 1, according to the invention;

[00032] FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a foot placement and ball toss platform, according to the invention;

[00033] FIGURE 5 is a top plan view of the foot placement and ball toss platform shown in FIGURE 4, according to the invention;

[00034] FIGURES 6 and 7 are perspective views of further embodiments of foot placement and ball toss platforms, according to the invention; [00035] FIGURE 8 is a front plan view of one embodiment of a tennis stroke training device, according to the invention;

[00036] FIGURE 9 is a left side plan view of the device grip shown in FIGURE 8, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[00037] FIGURE 10 is a front plan view of the device grip shown in FIGURE 8, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[00038] FIGURE 11 is a right side plan view of the device grip shown in FIGURE 8, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[00039] FIGURE 12 is a bottom plan view of the device grip shown in FIGURE 8, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[00040] FIGURE 13 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a ball toss training device, according to the invention; and

[00041] FIGURE 14 is a side plan view of the ball toss training device shown in FIGURE 13, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[00042] Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particularly exemplified apparatus, systems, structures or methods as such may, of course, vary. Thus, although a number of apparatus, systems and methods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present invention, the preferred apparatus, systems, structures and methods are described herein.

[00043] It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the invention only and is not intended to be limiting.

[00044] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. [00045] Further, al l publ ications, patents and patent appl ications cited herein, whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[00046] Final ly, as used in th is specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a, "an" and "the" incl ude plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

[00047] Novel features that are characteristic of the invention, as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof will be better understood from the fol lowing description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in wh ich preferred embodiments of the invention are i l lustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are an i l lustration description only and are not intended as definitions of the limits of the invention.

[00048] Broad aspects of the present invention are set forth in the summary above. There are, of course, add itional features of the invention that wi l l be described hereinafter and which wi l l form additional subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

[00049] Those ski l led in the art wi l l appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readi ly be utilized as a basis for the designing other structures, methods and _^ systems for carrying out the purposes of the present invention. The appended claims should thus be regarded as including such equ ivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[00050] As discussed in detai l above, a tennis serve is a compl icated action that is composed of several phases, and inter-related motions. The object or goal of the serve phases is to h it a tenn is bal l at a desired position and in a timely manner, whereby the bal l is d irected to a desired point on the court with the desired rotation or spin.

[0005 1 ] The static phase of the serve comprises position ing the body; particularly, the feet on the court prior to the service stroke. As stated, foot placement and movement are key aspects of an effective and consistent serve and are typically varied depending on the type of tennis serve being performed, e.g., topspin, sl ice, etc. [00052] The active phase of a tennis serve includes two critical actions: the ball toss or trajectory and stroke (or service swing).

[00053] As set forth above, the present invention provides tennis training devices, systems and methods for developing proper foot placement, ball toss trajectory and stroke mechanics for performing an effective tennis serve. As will readily be

appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the art, the tennis training devices can be employed separately or jointly to develop proper foot placement, ball toss trajectory and/or stroke mechanics.

[00054] Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, there is shown one embodiment of a foot placement and ball toss platform (also referred to herein as a "foot placement-ball toss platform") of the invention 10a that is designed and adapted to develop proper foot placement and ball toss trajectory for performing an effective tennis serve.

[00055] As illustrated in Fig.1, the platform 10a includes foot placement and ball toss graphics indicating (i) a standard (or desired) foot placement, i.e. stance, for the right and left foot 12a, 12b, respectively, for a right-handed player or server, and the right and left foot 14a, 14b, respectively, for a left-handed player or server serving from a first court area Ci proximate the center mark 11 (or line), (ii) the foot placement stance, for the right and left foot 12c, 12d, respectively, for a right-handed player or server, and the right and left foot 14c, 14d, respectively, for a left-handed player or server serving from a second court area C2 proximate the center mark 11, and (iii) ball toss targets, i.e. where a tossed ball would preferably strike the ground if not hit, 16a, 16b, for right-handed (16a) and left-handed (16b) players.

[00056] According to the invention, the graphics illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 (and Figs. 4 - 7, discussed below), can comprise standard (or desired) foot placements and ball toss targets for various sized adult and youth players or, as discussed below, custom foot placements and/or ball toss targets.

[00057] In some embodiments of the invention, the foot graphics thus comprise tailored foot placements. In these embodiments, a player or tennis coach can provide the desired right and left foot coordinates or foot placements for an individual player, which can be employed to position the foot graphics on a platform.

[00058] A player or coach can also provide desired or tailored ball toss targets, which can similarly be employed to position to position the ball toss graphics on a platform.

[00059] According to the invention, the platform 10a (and platform 10b, discussed below) can comprise various materials, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), natural rubber, polymeric and rubber composites, and thermoplastic elastomers. In one embodiment of the invention, the platform 10a comprises polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[00060] In some embodiments of the invention, the platform 10a (and platform 10b) has a thickness less than 1 in. In some embodiments of the invention, the platform 10a has a thickness in the range of approximately 0.25 - 1 in.

[00061] As illustrated in Fig.3, in some embodiments of the invention, the platform 10a (and platform 10b) further includes an anti-skid or a non-slip backing 18 on the , bottom side or surface Pb that is opposite the side with the graphics (denoted "p _t ")- According to the invention, various conventional anti-skid backings (or products) can be employed within the scope of the invention, including PEV™, Tread-Grip™, Sand- Tac™, Volextra™, and EZ Grip™.

[00062] Referring now to Figs.4 and 5 there is shown another embodiment of a foot placement and ball toss platform of the invention. As illustrated in Fig.4, the platform 10b similarly includes graphics indicating a standard (or desired) foot placement stance for the right and left foot 12a, 12b, respectively, for a right-handed player or server, and the right and left foot 14a, 14b, respectively, for a left-handed player or server serving from a first court area Ci proximate the center mark 11 (or line), and the foot placement stance, for the right and left foot 12c, 12d, respectively, for a right-handed player or server, and the right and left foot 14c, 14d, respectively, for a left-handed player or server serving from a second court area C ₂ proximate the center mark 11.

[00063] In this embodiment, however, the graphics include ball toss targets for a right-handed player performing slice and flat serves, (denoted 1 c and 16d,

respectively), ball toss targets for a left-handed player performing slice and flat serves, (denoted 16e and 16f, respectively), and a forward foot post-stroke placement target for left-handed and right-handed players performing a kick serve (denoted 16g).

[00064] To develop and/or enhance the stability of a player's feet and related musculature, in some embodiments of the invention, the foot placement platforms of the invention are constructed of a thicker compliant (or pliable) material (see, for example platform 10c shown in Fig.6). According to the invention, the compliant material can comprise various conventional compliant materials, such as closed cell EVA, polyethylene and polyurethane foams. The compliant material can also have various thicknesses and/or densities to provide the desired degree of compliancy, i.e. give.

[00065] In one embodiment of the invention, the compliant material comprises closed cell EVA foam, having a thickness in the range of approximately 2 - 4 in.

[00066] According to the invention, the foot placement platforms of the invention can also comprise multiple component structures. Referring now to Fig.7, there is shown one embodiment of a multiple component platform 1 Od. As illustrated in Fig.7, the platform lOd includes a top material or sheet 17 with the graphics disposed thereon and a compliant second material 19 disposed or attached to the bottom surface of the top material.

[00067] According to the invention, the platforms of the invention, including platforms 10a, 10b, 10c and lOd, discussed above, can also be employed with the stroke training devices described in Applicant's Co-Pending Application Nos. 12/731 ,987 and 13/065,623, which are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

[00068] Referring now to Fig.8, there is shown one embodiment of the stroke training device 20. As illustrated in Fig.8, the training device 20 is provided with grip 22 that emulates a tennis racquet grip and is sized for being held by a user, and a flexible umbilical 26.

[00069] The grip 22 preferably has an oval circumference with eight flat beveled surfaces 12, again, for emulating the feel of a standard tennis racquet grip. The grip 22 includes butt and distal ends; the butt end generally finished with expanded cap 25 (see Fig.10). [00070] As illustrated in Fig.8, the flexible umbilical 26 includes a first end 27 attached to and emanating from the distal end of the grip 22. A device weight 28 is attached to the second end of the umbilical 26.

[00071] Although the training device 20 of the present invention, as depicted in Fig. 8, shows umbilical 26 bent in a serpentine fashion, when straightened, the total length of the device 20 is ideally sized to emulate the length of an average tennis racquet, i.e. approximately 26" to 28". The umbilical 26 is not only flexible, but is capable of stretching approximately 1" from a first rest position (or length) as weight 28 pulls upon umbilical 26 during use.

[00072] Although weight 28 is shown as three consecutively aligned weighted balls attached to umbilical 26, according to the invention, a single weighted orb or a plethora of such can also be employed while remaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[00073] The weighted end of the device 20 can comprise various weights, e.g., 13 - 15 oz. In some embodiments, the weight 28 has a cumulative weight of approximately 8 oz.

[00074] Referring now to Figs.9- 12, details of the device grip 22 are shown. Fig.10 shows the back side of grip 22, while Figs.9 and 11 show opposite sides of the grip 22 in order to provide the appropriate illustration of raised markers 23a and 23b. Raised marker 23a, which is shown in Fig.9, is intended to create a V or U-shaped series of segments establishing notch 29. According to the invention, when grip 22 is appropriately held by a user, notch 29 would nest in that portion of the user's hand between one's thumb and index finger.

[00075] Raised marker 23a is intended to be used by a left handed player and its use is indicated by the letter ^; 'L". Conversely, grip 22 can also be used by a right handed player by employing raised marker 23b. Use of this marker is indicated by the letter "R". [00076] To complete the device 20, butt end of the grip includes expanded or butt cap 25 to prevent the grip 22 from sl ipping out of a user's hand.

[00077] The stroke training dev ice, which is commercial ly avai lable through The Total Serve (Oakland, CA), wi l l encourage a user to properly perform a service stroke, i .e. with the user's arm fu l ly extended upward, when properly em ployed. Fai lure to do so wi l l prevent umbi l ical 26 from remain ing taut throughout the motion resulting in an uncontrolled movement of weight 28. This provides a clear indication to a user that the stroke has not been carried out properly.

[00078] According to the invention, the platforms of the invention, including platforms 1 0a, 1 0b, 1 0c and l Od, and stroke train ing devices described in Applicant's Co-Pend ing Appl ication Nos. 1 2/73 1 ,987 and 1 3/065,623, including device 20 described above, can also be employed with the bal l toss training devices of the invention.

[00079] Referring now to Figs. 1 3 and 14, there is shown one embodiment of a bal l toss training device of the invention (denoted 30). As i l lustrated in Fig. 1 3, the bal l toss train ing device 30 includes a base 32 with two legs 34a, 34b, a telescopic vertical support 36 that is attached to the base 32, a telescopic horizontal support 38 that is operatively connected to the vertical support 36, and a target hoop 40.

[00080] According to the invention, the telescopic vertical and horizontal supports 36, 38 faci l itate adjustment in their respective planes, as shown by Arrows V _a and H _a . The telescopic vertical support 36 also allows rotation of the horizontal support 38 about the longitudinal axis of the vertical support 36, as shown by Arrow H _r . To secure the vertical and horizontal supports 36, 38 in desired positions, conventional locking means, such as the set screws 39a, 39b that are i l lustrated in Fig. 1 3, are provided.

[0008 1 ] In some embodiments of the invention, the bal l toss training device 30 is collapsible. In these embod iments, conventional pivoting joints or assembl ies are employed at the j uncture of the base 32 and vertical support 36 (denoted "42a"), the j uncture of the vertical 36 and horizontal 38 support (denoted "42b"), and the juncture of the horizontal support 38 and hoop 40 (denoted "42c") to faci l itate rotating or folding the vertical 36 and horizontal 38 supports, and hoop 40 in the d irections denoted by Arrows A i - A5. In these embodiments, the pivoting joints are also adapted to disengageably secure the vertical 36 and horizontal 38 supports in a desired angular relationship to each other, e.g., substantially perpendicular relationships.

[00082] As wil l readi ly be appreciated by one having ordinary skil l in the art, the tennis serve train ing system, referred to as The Total Serve™ system, when properly employed, provides an effective means for developing the key aspects of a serve - foot placement, ball toss or trajectory and service stroke - separately or jointly.

[00083] The above d isclosure is sufficient to enable one having ordinary skil l in the art to practice the invention, and provides the best mode of practicing the invention presently contemplated by the inventor. Wh i le there is provided herein a ful l and complete d isclosure of the preferred em bodiments of the invention, it is not intended or desired to lim it the invention to the exact construction, di mensions, relationships, or operations as described. Various mod ifications, alternative constructions, changes and equivalents wi l l read i ly occur to those ski l led in the art and may be employed as suitable without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. Such changes m ight involve alternative materials, components, structural arrangements, sizes, shapes, forms, functions, operational features of the l ike.

[00084] Therefore, the above description and i l lustration should not be considered as l im iting the scope of the invention, which is identified by the appended claims.