GB2608892A

GB2608892A - Ball training aid

Info

Publication number: GB2608892A
Application number: GB2208386.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tomlinson Ben
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-06-08
Filing date: 2022-06-08
Publication date: 2023-01-18
Also published as: GB202108157D0; GB202208386D0

Abstract

A ball deflector training aid device includes a body means comprising substantially rigid plastics or polymer material including a plurality of grooves or channels 6,8 which at least partially define one or more substantially planar or flat panel members 10. The device can be configured in a compact or transport configuration (figure 2) and at least one in-use or training configuration (figures 3 & 4) wherein one of the groves functions as a living hinge enabling the movement or manipulation of at least one of the panels which moves the device between the storage and at least one in-use configuration. The device may be moved into a wedge or ramp in-use configuration (figure 3b). The device is particularly useful for use in training with a cricket ball.

Description

Ball Training _did the present invention relates to a device to aid in training using a ball, in addition to the manufacture and use of such a device same.

Although the following description refers to a device that can be used in training 5 with a cricket ball, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be used to aid training in a number of sports, with a number of different types of ball and is not limited to cricket.

Cricket training devices to aid in fielding, bowling a.nd batting skills are known. 1;or example, a 'slip cradle' is used for wicket keeper and/or slip training practice.

Conventional slip cradles feature a number of spaced horizontal laths mounted on a frame which are used to provide a. surface which generates an unpredictable bounce on a ball thrown at the same. this unpredictable travel replicates the travel of the ball off the wicket and/or bat during a game.

More recently the ICatchetTM device has been developed which consists of a formed rigid plastic shell, said shell being substantially wedge shaped with parallel ridges running along the top surface of the same. 'these ridges perform an identical function to the laths of the traditional slip cradle, which is to deflect or bounce a ball thrown against the same in an unpredictable manner.

Both the slip cradle and the hatchetTM device suffer from the problem that the 20 deflecting surface can only be provided in one configuration and neither configuration is particularly easy to transport.

t is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a device and that addresses the abovementioned problems.

It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a method of manufacturing a 25 device that addresses the abovementioned problems.

It is a yet further aim of the present invention to provide a ball training deflector device and method of using the same which addresses the abovementioned problems.

In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a training aid device which is 5 suitable for use as a ball deflector, said device including a body means comprising substantially rigid plastics or polymer material, at least part of said body means including a plurality of grooves or channels which at least partially define one or more substantially planar or flat panel members characterised in that said device can be configured in a compact or transport configuration and at least one in-use or 10 training configuration wherein one of the groves functions as a living hinge enabling the movement or manipulation of at least one of the panels which moves the device between the storage and at least one in-use configuration.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the device means comprises a surface including a plurality of substantially planar panel members. Typically one or more adjacent panel members are joined by a hinge or recess about which said panel member can be moved or manipulated to move the device between the first storage configuration and one or more in-use configurations.

Typically the device can be laid substantially flat or in a flat configuration and rolled into a substantially cylindrical storage or transportation configuration by folding or 20 pivoting the panel members about the one or more grooves or hinges In a preferred embodiment, the device can be manipulated or moved into a first in-use configuration. Typically the first in-use configuration is a wedge shape or ramp formation. Further typically the ramp configuration includes manipulation of one or more panel members such that one peripheral part or panel of the device is folded to be positioned higher from the ground than another peripheral or distal part or panel member.

In one embodiment at least one side of the device is folded to form the ramp configuration.

In one embodiment, the device can be manipulated into at least a second in-use configuration. Typically, the second in-use configuration is a double ramp or a symmetrical formation. 1;urther typically the double ramp formation has at least two peripheral panel members portions winch are higher than one or more panel located or disposed between the same in the second in-use configuration.

In a preferred embodiment the device is constructed from a single sheet or piece of plastics material. Typically the plastics material is polypropylene. Further typically the plastics material is sufficiently rigid to provide structure and resistance to bounce or deflect the ball in use.

to In one embodiment the plastics material forming the device is 4-10mm in diameter or thickness. Typically the channels or grooves are machined into the plastics material to form a portion which is 0.5-3mm in diameter or thick. Further typically the thickness or the plastics material is chosen to provide a balance of rigidity with a degree of flex to deflect halls in the required manner.

in a preferred embodiment of the invention the plastics material sheet is approximately 6 mm thick or in diameter. Typically the depth of the channels or grooves are 5 mm in depth. Further typically the depth of the groove is 5 mm leaving a 1 nun living hinge In one embodiment the channels or grooves are cut or machined into the plastics sheet. 'typically the channels or grooves do not penetrate the plastics material sheet.

Typically, two or more of the panel members are not co-planar when in any of the M-use configurations. Further typically the panel members provide a tessellated surface when in one or more of the in-use configurations.

In a second aspect of the invention the device comprises plastics sheet material into 25 which a number of channels are formed, said channels at least partially defining one or more panel portions, characterised in that the device can folder about said channels into at least one in-use configuration.

typically the sheet material can be laid flat or a substantially planar configuration.

In one embodiment two or more of the channels arc substantially straight or linearly formed in said surface. Typically the surface includes two or more parallel straight channels. Further typically the device can be rolled from a. substantially flat configuration to a rolled or tubular storage configuration.

In one embodiment the device is rolled into the substantially tubular storage configuration about the straight or parallel channels.

In one embodiment the device includes one or more substantially non-parallel channels. Typically said non-parallel channels are formed substantially orthogonal and/or around 90 degrees to the two or more substantially parallel channels. Further typically the device is folded at one or more of the non-parallel channels to move the device to and/or from the one or more in-use configurations.

In one embodiment the device includes one or more apertures. 'typically the apertures are holes or openings through the surface.

In one embodiment the device includes one or more apertures that form handles or 15 handle opening is the device.

In one embodiment the device includes one or more apertures through which one or more securing straps or flexible material can be passed. Typically said straps or flexible material can be used to hold the device in one or more configurations.

In one embodiment the device includes one or more feet members. 'typically said 20 feet members comprise rubber or rubberised material. Further typically said feet members are removable or detachably attached to at least one of the panel members.

In one embodiment the device includes additional deflector strips or members. Typically said deflector strips and/or members can be attached to the device to provide additional deflection or more unpredictable bounces off the device. Further typically the additional deflector strips can be detachably attached or engaged with at least part of the device.

In a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of forming or manufacturing a device including a body means comprising substantially rigid plastics or polymer material, at least part of said body means including a plurality of g,rooves or channels which at least partially define one or more substantially planar 5 or flat panel members characterised in that said device can be configured in a compact or transport configuration and at least one in-use or training configuration wherein one of the groves functions as a. living hinge enabling the movement or manipulation of at least one of the panels which moves the device between the storage and at least one in-use configuration, said method including the step of 10 moulding and/or machining said grooves or channels into the plastics material Specific embodiments of the in vention are now described with reference to the following figures wherein; Figure 1 shows a device according to one embodiment of the invention in a. flat formation; Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the invention in a rolled or storage formation; figures 3a and 3b shows an embodiment of the device in a first in-use formation; Figure 4 shows an embodiment of the device in a second in-use configuration; and Figure 5 shows a deflector strip attached to the device in an optional embodiment of the invention.

'the figures show a cricket training aid in the form of a ball deflector device or apparatus 2. The apparatus 2 in this example is a substantially planar rectangle produced from polypropylene sheet material 4. The sheet is (NC machined to create grooves 6,8 which act as 'living hinges' about which the parts or panels 10 of the device can be folded. The grooves include straight or parallel linear grooves 6 and non-parallel grooves 8 which allow the plastic sheet or surface 4 to fold into three different formations, which are held in position with two straps 7: 1) The product rolls up from flat formation 12 shown in figure 1 into a cylindrical form 14 (shown in figure 2) to allow easier storage and transportation.

2) The product folds into a. Ramp formation 16 (one side folded) shown in figures 3a and 3b.

3) The product folds into a symmetrical form 18 (both sides folded) shown in figure 4.

In either the ramp 16 or symmetrical formation 18 the surface 4 of the product is tessellated to deflect balls in different directions. It can be used with cricket, tennis 10 and any other relatively soft ball.

The product also includes handles 20 on both sides. This has two functions, as it aids the user to carry it easier when it's in a rolled up form 12, and also when in use the deflector can be handled by the user to deflect balls manually themselves.

The Deflector also has four rubber feet 22 which slot onto the corners. This is to 15 reduce the amount of slipping when being used on a hard surface such as a sports hall floor.

Figure 5 shows the optional deflection rails 26 which in this example are additional rubber strips which can be pressed into the surface of the product in different configurations to make the deflections of the ball more unpredictable.

Also the straps can be replaced with a resilient or bungee strap. As shown plastic handles/grips which slot on the outside of the product and arc pulled tight by a bungee cord. This is an alternative the current cam buckle and strap shown in these examples to hold the device in both the in-use configurations as well as the storage configuration.

Claims

Claims 1. A training aid device which is suitable for use as a ball deflector, said device including a body means comprising substantially rigid plastics or polymer material, at least part of said body means including a. plurality of grooves or channels which at least partially define one or more substantially planar or flat panel members characterised in that said device can be configured in a compact or transport configuration and at least one in-use or training configuration wherein one of the groves functions as a living hinge enabling the movement or manipulation of at least one of the panels which moves the device between the storage and at least one in-use configuration.
2. A training aid according to claim 1 wherein the device means comprises a. surface including a plurality of substantially planar panel members.
3. A training aid according to claim 2 wherein one or more adjacent panel members are joined by a hinge or recess about which said panel member can be moved or 15 manipulated to move the device between the First storage configuration and one or more in-use configurations.
4. A training aid according to claim 1 wherein the device is laid substantially flat or in a flat configuration and rolled into a substantially cylindrical storage or transportation configuration by folding or pivoting the panel members about the 20 one or more grooves or hinges.
5. A training aid according to claims 1 to 4 wherein the device is manipulated or moved into a wedge shape or ramp first in-use configuration.
6. A training aid according to claim 5 wherein the wedge or ramp configuration includes manipulaiion of one or more panel members such that one peripheral part 25 or panel of the device is folded to he positioned higher from the ground than another peripheral or distal part or panel member.
7. A training aid according to claim6 wherein at least one side of the device is folded to form the ramp configuration.
8. A training aid according to claim 1 wherein the device can be manipulateduo at least a second in-use configuration.
9. A training aid according to claim 8 wherein the second in-use configuration is a double ramp or a. symmetrical formation which has at least two peripheral panel 5 members portions which are higher than one or more panel located or disposed between the same in the second in-use configuration.
10. A training aid according to any preceding claim 1 wherein the device is constructed from a single sheet or piece of plastics material
11. A training aid according to claim 10 wherein the plastics material is 10 polypropylene.
12. A training aid according to any preceding claim wherein the plastics material forming the device is 4-1 Omm in diameter or thickness.
13. A training aid according to claim 12 wherein the channels or grooves are machined into the plastics material to form a portion which is 0 5-3mm in diameter or thick.
14. A training aid according to claim 12 wherein the plastics material sheet is approximately 6 min thick or in diameter.
15. A training aid according to claim 13 wherein the depth of the channels or grooves are 5 mm in depth.
16. A training aid according to claim 15 wherein the depth of the groove is 5 narn leaving a 1 mm living hinge.
17. A training aid according to claim 1 wherein the channels or grooves are cut or machined into the plastics sheet, and the channels or grooves do not penetrate the plastics material sheet.
18. A training aid according to claim 1 wherein two or more of the panel members are not co-planar when in any of the in-use configurations thereby providingl9 a tessellated surface when in one or more of the in-use configurations.
19. A training device for deflecting a. ball comprising plastics sheet material into 5 which a number of channels are formed, said channels at least partially defining one or more panel portions, characterised in that the device can folder about said channels into at least one in-use configuration.
20. A training device according to claim 1 wherein two or more of the channels arc substantially straight or linearly formed in said surface so the device can be rolled 10 from a substantially flat configuration to a rolled or tubular storage configuration.