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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
FOOTBALL PRACTICE SIMULATOR
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2023/095067
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A football practice simulator (10) simulates deflections at an obtuse angle to a natural ball path in a first condition when located on the ground (12) and reflections including deflections at an obtuse angle and rebounds at an acute angle to a natural ball path in a second condition when held by a user, the simulator comprising a multi-faceted first portion (14), (16), (18), (20) for generating deflections at multiple different respective angles and having a periphery (22) closely adjacent a ground surface for avoiding rebounds at the periphery in the first condition, and a second portion comprising at least one handle (24), (26) to be handled by a user for holding the simulator in the second condition.

Inventors:
SYMES ANDREW (GB)
CECH PETR (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2022/061424
Publication Date:
June 01, 2023
Filing Date:
November 25, 2022
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
SPECIALISED SPORTS EQUIPMENT LTD (GB)
International Classes:
A63B69/00
Foreign References:
GB2575302A2020-01-08
GB2421447A2006-06-28
US6010414A2000-01-04
US5529016A1996-06-25
US20180214756A12018-08-02
US5967911A1999-10-19
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
IPCONSULT (GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
9

CLAIMS

1. A football practice simulator for simulating deflections at an obtuse angle to a natural ball path in a first condition when located on the ground and reflections including deflections at an obtuse angle and rebounds at an acute angle to a natural ball path in a second condition when held by a user, the simulator comprising a multi-faceted first portion for generating deflections at multiple different respective angles and having a periphery closely adjacent a ground surface for avoiding rebounds at the periphery in the first condition, and a second portion comprising at least one handle to be handled by a user for holding the simulator in the second condition.

2. A football practice simulator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the deflector has a first horizontal axis in a Y dimension and a second horizontal axis in an X dimension perpendicular to the Y dimension, and the deflector comprises a first portion comprising a plurality of deflector facets one angled relative to an adjacent deflector facet in both the Y dimension and the X dimension so that a plurality of different deflections are generated to a natural ball path generally in the Y dimension or the X dimension when the simulator is in the first condition.

3. A football practice simulator as claimed in claim 2, wherein comprising deflector facets for deflecting a natural ball path at any one of a plurality of selected angles relative to the deflector.

4. A football practice simulator as claimed in claim 2 or 3, comprising first and second regions along the Y dimension, and the first region comprises deflector facets that are angled in the Z dimension at a steeper angle than the angle of the deflector facets of the second region so that the deflector facets of the first region generate a larger deflection than the deflector surfaces of the second region.

5. A football practice simulator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower portion of the simulator facing downwardly when in use in the first condition comprises at least one handle for handling by a user in the second condition so that at least one facet faces generally towards a serving player for causing a deflection or rebound towards a receiving player or goal.

6. A football practice simulator as claimed in claim 5, wherein said at least one handle extends downwardly in the first condition for gripping without extending downwardly to an extent that it touches the ground.

7. A football practice simulator as claimed in claim 5 or 6, wherein the lower portion of the simulator comprises strengthening ribs and handles are located on respective strengthening ribs.

8. A football practice simulator as claimed in claim 5, 6, or 7, comprising a through hole extending from the upper surface to the lower surface for handling by a user for supporting the simulator on a ground surface with one or more facets generally facing a serving player for causing a deflection or rebound towards a receiving player or goal. 9. A football practice simulator as claimed in claim 8, wherein the through hole is located at a periphery of the simulator for carrying.

Description:
FOOTBALL PRACTICE SIMULATOR

The present invention relates to a football practice simulator for simulating aspects of a game in a practice condition and particularly but not exclusively to a football goalkeeping training simulator or training apparatus.

In the area of sports training and practice there are various ways in which a game environment can to some extent be simulated in order that players can practice in training or practice conditions the environment of a game. Most training equipment provides a simple rebound wall whereby a player kicks a ball against a wall and it rebounds at an acute angle.

The present invention aims to improve the simulation of a game environment in training or practice conditions.

The present invention provides football practice simulator for simulating deflections at an obtuse angle to a natural ball path in a first condition when located on the ground and reflections including deflections at an obtuse angle and rebounds at an acute angle to a natural ball path in a second condition when held by a user, the simulator comprising a multi-faceted first portion for generating deflections at multiple different respective angles and having a periphery closely adjacent a ground surface for avoiding rebounds at the periphery in the first condition, and a second portion comprising at least one handle to be handled by a user for holding the simulator in the second condition.

For example there may be multiple angled facets extending upwardly from the ground which generate different deflections depending on which of the facets a ball makes contact with. The facets are in contact with the ground or closely adjacent to reduce or eliminate the possibility of a rebound from the deflector towards a serving player. If placed on a grass surface, the deflector periphery may rest slightly below the grass and slightly above the soil, whilst still minimizing a rebound from a leading peripheral edge.

In one arrangement, the deflector has a first horizontal axis in a Y dimension and a second horizontal axis in an X dimension perpendicular to the Y dimension, and the deflector comprises a first portion comprising a plurality of deflector facets one angled relative to an adjacent deflector facet in both the Y dimension and the X dimension so that a plurality of different deflections are generated to a natural ball path generally in the Y dimension or the X dimension when the simulator is in the first condition. For example, a serving player can position themselves along a Y dimension or an X dimension for serving a ball along a natural ball path for possible deflection by the deflector along any one of a plurality of different deflected ball paths.

The deflector may comprise surface facets for deflecting a natural ball path at any selected angle relative to the deflector.

For example, a serving player may position a ball for serving or the deflector may be orientated relative to a serving player, at any selected angle (through 360 degrees), relative to the ball server and deflector. In this regard, there may be a target such as a goal mouth, in addition to the serving player, deflector and receiving player, and the deflector can be orientated as desired to generate a range of possible deflections from any of a number of serving positions, and in relation to the target.

The deflector may comprise first and second portions along the Y dimension, and the first portion comprises deflector surfaces that are angled in the Z dimension at a steeper angle than the angle of the deflector surfaces of the second portion so that the deflector surfaces of the first portion generate a larger deflection than the deflector surfaces of the second portion.

For example, the deflector may be orientated with respect to a serving player to generate a shallow deflection in the height dimension. Alternatively, the deflector can be rotated through 180 degrees with respect to a serving player to generate a steeper deflection in the height dimension.

The deflector surfaces comprise generally planar or curvilinear surfaces that are connected to adjacent deflector surfaces by an inter-connecting lines or curves.

In the case of a football, which is approximately 22 cm in diameter and about 68 to 70 cm in circumference, there may be some spacing between deflector facets, whilst still generating an acceptable deflection depending on the deflecting surface or surfaces that are contacted by a ball along a natural ball path.

In examples, peripheral deflector facets extend upwardly at an angle from a supporting surface, such as the ground surface, but other deflector facets may not be in contact with or closely adjacent the ground surface and may be orientated at any selected angle in X, Y and Z dimensions and at any selected angle one deflector facet relative to an adjacent deflector facet.

The deflector may be supported on a stand, which itself rests on a ground surface. The stand may have an arrangement for tilting the deflector in one or more dimensions and at one or more angles relative to a ground surface. A goal keeper training apparatus for generating deflections to a natural ball path from a serving player to a receiving player, the simulator comprising a multi-faceted deflector for placement on the ground at a selected ground surface position of a sports pitch or training ground, the deflector comprising a multiplicity of deflecting facets that are angled one facet relative to an adjacent facet for causing a multiplicity of different deflections to a natural ball path, wherein the periphery of the deflector comprises deflector facets that are in contact with, or closely adjacent, the ground surface and which extend upwardly at an angle in a height dimension. football practice simulator as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a lower portion of the simulator facing downwardly when in use in the first condition comprises at least one handle for handling by a user in the second condition so that at least one facet faces generally towards a serving player for causing a deflection or rebound towards a receiving player or goal.

A football practice simulator may comprise at least one handle that extends downwardly in the first condition for gripping without extending downwardly to an extent that it touches the ground.

The lower portion of the simulator may comprise strengthening ribs and handles are located on respective strengthening ribs.

A through hole may extend from the upper surface to the lower surface for handling by a user for supporting the simulator on a ground surface with one or more facets generally facing a serving player for causing a deflection or rebound towards a receiving player or goal. The through hole may be located at a periphery of the simulator for carrying.

In order that the present invention may be well understood, embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, will now be described in more detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a football practice simulator in plan from above;

Figure 2 shows the football practice simulator in perspective;

Figure 3 shows the football practice simulator sports from underneath;

Figure 4 shows a football practice simulator, ball and a deflected ball path in the x dimension;

Figure 5 shows a football practice simulator, ball and another deflected ball path in the x dimension; Figure 6 shows a football practice simulator, ball and a natural ball path in which a kicked ball misses the simulator;

Figure 7 shows a football practice simulator, ball and a natural ball path in which a kicked ball misses the simulator;

Figure 8 shows a football practice simulator, ball and a deflected ball path in the z dimension;

Figure 9 shows a football practice simulator, ball and another deflected ball path in the z dimension;

Figures 10 shows a football practice simulator held aloft by handles in a second condition for causing a rebound;

Figure 11 shows a football practice simulator held by a handle on the ground in a second condition for causing a rebound;

Figure 12 shows a football practice simulator in a second condition for causing any one of a plurality of rebound paths towards a goal in the x dimension; and

Figure 13 shows a football practice simulator in a second condition for causing any one of a plurality of rebound paths towards a goal in the z dimension.

In football, a first player strikes or plays a ball to generate a natural ball path, whether towards another player or towards a target. The natural ball path is generated by such factors as the speed of contact with a ball, direction, elevation and spin. Subsequently a receiving player, whether or not on the same team, reacts to the natural ball path in order to play the ball. For example, a goalkeeper may react to the generated natural ball path to play a ball by saving it from entering a goal.

With time and ability a player becomes better at reacting to a natural ball path in order to play a ball. The natural ball path becomes more predictable to a player. Difficulties arise when there is a deflection at a point along the natural ball path, which causes the ball to follow a less predictable path. A deflection in this context may be caused for example by a ground divot or by another player making contact with a ball more passively and with less control and travels along a path at an obtuse angle to the approaching natural ball path, whether that is an obtuse angle in the vertical dimension, horizontal dimension or both. A deflected ball path is therefore more randomly generated, follows a less predictable ball path and results in a deflected ball that is more difficult for a receiving player to play.

In practice conditions players attempt to reproduce a game environment by causing passive deflections along a natural ball path in order to generate a deflection. One difficulty with this approach is that a serving player may strike a ball with considerable force, as they would in a game, and players attempting a passive deflection may be injured by attempting to generate a deflection with parts of their body. This problem is exacerbated when it is considered that for example in a goalkeeping practice a goalkeeper may be required to perform 200 to 300 saves per day in practice.

With regard to injury, practice routines are repeated many times during a training session and over multiple sessions. It is a current issue particularly with regard to heading a ball that it may cause injury. It is therefore desirable to minimise contact with a ball whether heading or using other parts of the body, particularly where at the top end of the sport you do not wish an expensive player to be injured in practice.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a football/soccer practice simulator for simulating deflections in a first simulator condition to a natural ball path for use in sports practice or training at an obtuse angle greater than 90 degrees with the approaching natural ball path. The simulator can be held in a second simulator condition by one or more handles above the ground or supported on the ground to produce both deflections (obtuse angle) or rebounds (acute angle), to simulate headers or other contact with a player. An upper portion comprises reflective facets that face upwardly when in use in the first condition. A lower or underside portion faces downwardly when in use in the first condition, but in the second condition the lower portion can be held so that one or more reflective facets face generally towards a serving player for causing a deflection or rebound.

The simulator 10 comprises a first multi-faceted deflector for placement on the ground 12 at a desired position of a sports pitch or training ground. The deflector comprises a plurality of surface facets on a first surface (an upper surface in use) which extend upwardly relative to the ground in the Z dimension (vertical) at a plurality of respective different angles in X and Y dimensions (longitudinal and lateral horizontal).

The surface facets are referenced 14, 16, 18, 20. The surface facets are angled one relative to another and depending on which of the surface facets a ball contacts along a natural ball path the facets produce different deflected ball paths. The facets are generally planar (but may be curved) and are connected to one another by interconnecting lines, as shown. The facets may be spaced apart. The deflector in this example is generally symmetrical about a centre line extending in the Y dimension (left to right in Figure 1), but in other examples the deflector may be asymmetrical or irregular.

When the simulator 10 is used as a deflector and placed on the ground 12 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the facets reproduce multiple different possible deflections that may occur in a real game. Generally these are deflections that occur following contact with a foot or lower leg as is most common in football. Facets 16 and 18 are particularly designed to simulate foot contact. Facet 14 and particularly facet 20 might simulate a chip over a goal keeper. First and second regions along the Y dimension, and the first region comprises deflector facets 18, 20 that are angled in the Z dimension at a steeper angle than the angle of the deflector facets 14 of the second region so that the deflector facets of the first region generate a larger deflection than the deflector surfaces of the second region. The simulator may be orientated at any chosen angle through 360 degrees with respect to a receiving player or with respect to a goal for goalkeeper training. Depending on the chosen angle the simulator produces different deflections. The invention is not restricted to the particular arrangement of facets shown in the drawings.

An aspect of the design is that the periphery 22 of the simulator is closely adjacent or in contact (as illustrated) with a ground surface 12. The reason for this proximity is to avoid rebounds i.e. the ball rebounding or bouncing back at an acute angle to a serving player. Closely adjacent relates to the size of a standard football in that the periphery may to some extent be spaced apart from the ground surface without causing rebounds, particularly where the periphery is spaced apart from the ground surface by about a quarter of the diameter of standard football and preferably less than 5cm, given that it will be placed on grass and therefore sink slightly into the grass.

The simulator may comprise more than one component that fit together to provide deflector facets as described above or a base unit may be configured differently from an upper unit provided that a base unit resting on a ground surface does not cause a rebound when in use, at least when a serving player is serving a ball relative to the simulator in one direction.

Referring to Figure 3 there is shown a second portion, or underside surface, of the simulator. The second surface comprises handles 24 for holding by a user in a second condition of the simulator. The simulator can therefore be held aloft to generate rebounds or deflections to a natural ball path towards a receiving player or goal, typical reflections of this type being caused by contact with facet 14. There may be a single handle but it is preferable that the handle or handles allow a firm grip of the simulator so that when a ball strikes an upper surface it is held reasonably steady. One or more handles 26 allow the simulator to be easily carried and provide a grip for supporting the simulator on a ground surface in the second condition for causing rebounds and deflections closer to the ground.

One or more transverse ribs 28, 30 (horizontal and/or vertical) are provided for strengthening the simulator to avoid significant flexing in use. The handles 24 as shown are located on two vertical strengthening ribs. The handles extend downwardly in the condition shown in Figures 1 and 2 so they do not contact the ground surface 12 and thereby allow the simulator to lie flush with the ground surface.

Referring to Figures 4 to 6, there is shown a simulator 10 in a first deflector condition as shown in Figures 1 and 2 for generating obtuse deflections to a natural ball path 42. A ball 40 is shown by a white circle in a first serving location for playing by a serving player and in an end location by a black circle. The ball is kicked or served by a serving player along an approach natural ball path 42 towards the deflector. The deflection angles of the deflected paths 44 have components in one or more dimensions depending on where a ball makes contact with the simulator and the orientation of the simulator with respect to the initial ball location (as shown in Figures 4 and 5) or may miss the simulator and continue along its natural ball path 42 (as shown in Figure 6). A goal keeper in training must prepare for all outcomes.

Figures 4 to 6 show deflections in the horizontal dimensions X, Y. Figures 7 to 9 show deflections in a vertical dimension Z. The simulator 10 in a first deflector condition as shown in Figures 1 and 2 generates obtuse deflections to a natural ball path 42. A ball 40 is shown by a white circle in a first serving location for playing by a serving player and in an end location by a black circle. The ball is kicked or served by a serving player along an approach natural ball path 42 towards the deflector. The deflection angles of the deflected paths 44 have components in a vertical dimension depending on where a ball makes contact with the simulator and the orientation of the simulator with respect to the initial ball location. In Figure 8 the simulator 10 is orientated to expose a steeper surface 20 for contact with a ball and consequently the deflected path is directed towards the top of a goal. In the Figure 9 the simulator 10 is orientated to expose a shallower surface 14 for contact with a ball and consequently the deflected path is directed towards a middle part of a goal. In Figure 7 a ball misses the simulator and continues along its natural ball path 42 towards a bottom part of a goal.

A second condition of the similar 10 is shown in Figures 10 and 11. In the second condition the simulator is supported by a user 50. The simulator may be supported on the ground as shown in Figure 11 or held aloft in Figure 10. When held aloft a user holds handles 24 on an underside of the simulator and uses surface 14 to generate a deflection or rebound as shown in Figures 12 and 13. In use Figure 10 simulates a header towards a goal when held by handles 24 and Figure 11 simulates contact with a foot or leg of a player when held on the ground by handle 26 or handles 24.

In each of the cases illustrated in Figures 10 and 11, a user 50 may orientate a reflecting surface to change an end position of the ball so that a goal keeper needs to react quickly to all possible positions in both horizontal and vertical dimensions.

In Figure 12 a serving location of a ball is shown by a white circle and possible end locations are shown by black circles. Figure 12 simulates a ball that is crossed from a lateral portion (a wing) of a pitch towards the penalty area, but any starting position may be chosen for example to simulate a free kick from outside the penalty box. Depending on the orientation of the simulator with respect to a natural ball path 52 reflected ball paths 54, 56, 58 may be generated in the horizontal dimensions X and Y. Reflected paths include both deflections and rebounds - generating as illustrated rebound paths 54 and 56 and deflected path 58.

Figure 12 shows rebounds and deflection in a horizontal dimension. Figure 13 shows reflections in a vertical Z dimension when a simulator is held aloft (i.e. spaced apart from the ground) as shown in Figure 10. The reflected paths 60, 62, 64 may constitute rebounds or deflections, that is any of the paths including paths 54, 56, 58 shown in Figure 12.

Remembering that a deflection is generated at an obtuse angle more than 90 degrees to a natural ball path and a rebound is at an angle equal to or less than 90 degrees, in the second condition the simulator may cause both deflections and rebounds, depending on how the simulator is supported by a user 50 and angled towards a goal as shown in Figures 12 and 13 or towards another player for playing a received ball. Although not shown the simulator can be held on the ground rather than aloft to simulate deflections closer to the ground in much the same way as shown in Figures 12 and 13.