US20170001089A1

US20170001089A1 - Variable Direction Surface

Info

Publication number: US20170001089A1
Application number: US14/789,821
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Lawrence Economon
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-07-01
Filing date: 2015-07-01
Publication date: 2017-01-05

Abstract

The present invention provides a variable direction surface with various angles and direction causing controlled disruption in the standard flight of a ball in play. The change in the ball flight will be used to funnel the ball to a specific area to minimize reach of activity for participants with limited range and mobility to expanding reach and creating unpredictable direction change for advances skilled participants. The flexibility allows ball delivery to any desired location depending on the abilities of the participants or the required outcome of participants program.

Description

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and system for redirecting the trajectory of multiple size and weight balls on a pre-configured hard surface. Particularly, this invention is designed to redirect and control the flight and speed of a table ball based on an angled device placed on a preconfigured secured surface. The controlled trajectory provides the ability to place the ball to a predefined location designed to improve cognitive and motor function while promoting brain fitness for all ages and physical ability. The invention is also further applicable to providing an alternative method of brain health and range of activity programs.
Background of the Invention
Researchers and Scientists widely agree that table tennis is the best sport for the brain. Research found that table tennis stimulating parts of the brain that controls eye-hand coordination, strategic planning, memory, composure, and concentration for participating players.
Conventional table tennis methods and systems use a flat surface with predictable trajectory based on ball spin and speed. While the flat surfaces may be sufficient for simple cognitive and motor function fitness, they will not provide participants with limited mobility and flexibility or athletes with the challenges needed to enhance their cognitive and motor function.
It is apparent that a need exists for a more flexible and controlled method of delivering a technique whereby participants can improve and maintain brain health while providing the ability to measure cognitive and motor functions.
With this in mind, the invention provides a table surface with various angles and direction causing controlled disruption to the standard flight of a ball in play. The change in the ball flight will we be used to funnel the ball to a specific area to minimize reach of play for participants with limited range and mobility to creating unpredictable direction change for athletic participants. The flexibility allows ball delivery to any desired location depending on the abilities of the participants
The new variable direction surface also enables for the distribution of balls into predefined sectors to build multiple decision points designed to increase the complexity of the delivered program. Increasing the programs complexity gives participants a measurable method of growth and identify their cognitive and motor function skill level giving the participants a path to improve their achieved skill level.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A variable direction surface will include various angles and directions to promote an increase in brain fitness alone with enhancing participant's range of activity e. The variable direction surface is configured with a variety of adjustable angles in one or more direction. The angles provide a variable deflection surface based on the skill and fitness level of the participant. The deflection number decrease and angle increase for limited reach, less fit and handicapped participants by funnel the ball to a smaller range of reach. The deflection numbers increase and angles decrease for full range and well fit participants. As a general result, the more challenging the variable deflection surface, the more speed, agility, and flexibility is need, while less challenging variable deflection surface promotes increased movement for less active participants. This serves to stimulate the brain and promote quick thinking while improving eye hand coordination, flexibility, and range of activity.
In order to enhance results, the measurement method incorporates decision point structures (DPS) to better control the effectiveness and difficulty of the delivery method. DPS allows for the delivery to contain a predefined number of decisions, each decision creates a number of actions. The more decisions increase the complexity of the delivery.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:

- (a) To provide a solution to help improve reaction time, eye hand coordination, flexibility, and range of activity.
- (b) To provide a solution to help limited range of activity and handicapped participants with a brain fitness improvement tool.
- (c) To provide a solution that is adjustable to the skill and fitness level of the participants
- (d) To provide a solution that offers a measurable results for continuous improvement
- (e) To provide brain fitness opportunity of all participants

Further objects and advantage will become apparent through a consideration of the below drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Drawing 1: Single piece construction using hard surface material molded to the designed form as specified in the drawing. The beginner level surface will redirect the ball away from the surface center point based on the impact location on the surface. The physical dimensions will vary based to the application and delivery method.
Drawing 2: Single piece construction using hard surface material molded to the designed form as specified in the drawing. The beginner level surface will redirect the ball gradually away from the center point based on the impact location on the surface. The physical dimensions will vary based to the application and delivery method.
Drawing 3: Single piece construction using hard surface material molded to the designed form as specified in the drawing. The beginner level surface will redirect the ball towards the surface center point based on the impact location on the surface. The physical dimensions will vary based to the application and delivery method.
Drawing 4: Single piece construction using hard surface material molded to the designed form as specified in the drawing. The intermediate level surface will redirect the ball in various directions from center left to center right based on the impact location on the surface. The physical dimensions will vary based to the application and delivery method.
Drawing 5: Single piece construction using hard surface material molded to the designed form as specified in the drawing. The intermediate level surface will slow the ball down by redirect the ball up from surface towards the center point based on the impact location on the surface. The physical dimensions will vary based to the application and delivery method.
Drawing 6:. Single piece construction using hard surface material molded to the designed form as specified in the drawing. The intermediate level surface will redirect the ball in various directions from center left to center right based on the impact location on the surface. The physical dimensions will vary based to the application and delivery method.
Drawing 7: Single piece construction using hard surface material molded to the designed form as specified in the drawing. The advanced level surface will redirect the ball in various directions from center left to center right to pop-up center based on the impact location on the surface. The physical dimensions will vary based to the application and delivery method.
Drawing 8: Single piece construction using hard surface material molded to the designed form as specified in the drawing. The advanced level surface will redirect the ball in various directions from center left to center right based on the impact location on the surface. The physical dimensions will vary based to the application and delivery method.
Drawing 9: Single piece construction using hard surface material molded to the designed form as specified in the drawing. The advanced level surface will redirect the ball in various directions from center left to center right to pop-up center based on the impact location on the surface. The physical dimensions will vary based to the application and delivery method.
Drawing 10: Single piece blade construction uses ⅛ inch wood material with an adjustable locking hinge for variable angle settings as specified in the drawing. The length and width of the blade will vary depending on the application and delivery method. There are two or more adjustable hinges that very in size and length depending on the length and width of the blade. The hinges are attached to the blade by removable material.
Drawing 11: Single piece surface construction using hard material built in various sizes. The Surface is designed for multiple templates formats based on program requirements in various sizes to fit on any table or flat surface. The single piece surface is used to house the blades outlines in diagram 10. Each blade is secured to the surface preventing movement from its predefined location during use. Blade can be removed or lowered after usage for easy storage.
Drawing 12: This configuration is a blade based supported by two struts with pre cut angles. The blade support structure varies in length, height, and blade cuts per struts. The blade cuts are configured for beginner, intermediate, and advanced angles. The struts sit on and existing standard table surface with the ability to add multiple struts on one surface.

Claims

I. The present invention can be configured for use by all regardless of physical ability of skill level
II. The present invention provides a method to enhance brain health
III. The present invention provides a method to enhance physical rehabilitation
IV. The present invention offers participants the ability to improve cognitive and motor functions
V. The present invention has the flexibility to be configured in multiple sizes and formats based on the fitness level of the participant.
VI. The present invention offers the ability to measure various brain functions
VII. The present invention offers the ability to measure various physical rehabilitation objectives