| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
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| 20100292033 | RECEIVE-AND-RETURN APPARATUS AND METHODS - Apparatus and methods for receiving and returning objects such as sport balls. In one embodiment, the apparatus is used for training players such as baseball players. Exemplary apparatus are adapted to catch an item thrown, pitched or hit towards a target located on the apparatus. In the context of baseball, a player may pitch a ball to the target which indicates a “strike zone”. In another embodiment, the apparatus is further adapted to return the item in a way that simulates the various ways the item may be returned during game-play. A user interface adapted to provide trainer with the ability to track a player's practice progress and skill level is also described. The user interface further enables a user to establish one or more rules for practice sessions using the apparatus in order to ensure an appropriate amount of time is spent training players requiring particular types of training. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20120142454 | BASKETBALL COLLECTION AND RETURN APPARATUS - A basketball return apparatus for collecting and returning basketballs includes a ball collector, with a top opening and a bottom opening, and a ball returner. The ball returner is connected to a base for receiving balls from the bottom opening of the ball collector and returning the balls to a user. A rotatable support mechanism connects the ball collector to the base so that the ball collector is rotatable with respect to the base and the ball returner. | 06-07-2012 |
| 20120190482 | Sport Projectile Return Device - A sports training device to practice shooting, kicking, throwing, launching or hitting a sports projectile such as a baseball, golf ball or ice hockey puck; comprising of a tether attached to the projectile, and an electromechanical drive mechanism to act on the tether to return the projectile. In the case of baseball hitting practice, a batter would hit a ball attached to the tether; the ball would travel the length of the tether. The other end of the tether would be secured to the device body. The batter would activate the device to return the ball. The drive mechanism consists of a drive roller attached to a motor, and an idler roller attached to a lever. After the tether is let out the user depresses the lever, pinching the tether between the rollers and activating the motor simultaneously, thus hauling the tether. The tether coils upon itself when it returns. | 07-26-2012 |
| 20130005512 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING A BASKETBALL PLAYER'S SHOOTING INCLUDING A DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT SYSTEM - A system and method for improving a player's efficiency in shooting by providing a player with various shooting challenge routines at which a player makes either a total number of shots or a total number shots in a row. Statistics regarding the player's performance are stored, printed and/or evaluated and the player can use the information to improve his or her efficiency at one or more of the plurality of different locations where the player shoots the basketball. In another embodiment, a measuring or detection system is used in combination with or separate from a ball launcher. The system is adapted to measure at least one of a distance of a player from the a launcher, height of a shot made by the player after catching a basketball, release angle, release time, or arc of a shot; entry angle of the basketball into a goal; hold or release time; or shot arc. | 01-03-2013 |
| 20130095959 | TRAJECTORY DETECTION AND FEEDBACK SYSTEM - A disclosed device provides a trajectory detection and feedback system. The system is capable of detecting one or more moving objects in free flight, analyzing a trajectory of each object and providing immediate feedback information to a human that has launched the object into flight, and/or one or more observers in the area. In a particular embodiment, a non-intrusive machine vision system that remotely detects trajectories of moving objects may be used to evaluate trajectory parameters for a basketball shot at a basketball hoop by a player. The feedback information, such as a trajectory entry angle into the basketball hoop and/or an entry velocity into the hoop for the shot, may be output to the player in an auditory format using a sound projection device. The system may be operable to be set-up and to operate in a substantially autonomous manner | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130210556 | Method, System and Apparatus for the Automatic Collection and Delivery of Spherical Game Elements - An automatic collection method for collecting one or more spherical game elements that may be struck by a striking element is disclosed. In an implementation, the method comprises acquiring a sequence of images or data from an opto-electric detection system of at least one surveillance area of a gaming area, analyzing at least part of said images or data to detect the presence of at least one spherical game element in said surveillance area, wherein the analysis includes a detection of one or both of a deceleration of the at least one spherical game element or the trajectory of the at least one said spherical game element, including an initial trajectory thereof following a strike to the at least one spherical element by the striking device, wherein the detection determines whether the at least one spherical element is going to remain inside the gaming area or is going to travel outside the gaming area, upon detecting that the at least one spherical element will travel outside the gaming area, moving a collection apparatus for the at least one spherical game element to the location of said at least one spherical game element, and collecting the at least one detected spherical game element. | 08-15-2013 |
| 20130296079 | Lacrosse Training and Competitive Game Installation With Variable Trajectory Control - A lacrosse training and competitive game installation includes an elongated enclosed space having side walls and a goal area adjacent one end thereof and a player area at an opposite end thereof. The goal area includes a rear wall and one or more forward projecting side baffle regions projecting forward from the rear wall of the goal area. Each of the one or more side baffle regions has one or more throwing apertures through which lacrosse balls are hurled into the enclosed space in sequence. A ball projector assembly is mounted behind each baffle adjacent each of the throwing apertures for hurling the lacrosse balls into the enclosed space simulating passed balls between players. A simulated goal is preferably rotatable in the goal area for throwing and shooting of balls at various angles to a goal. Balls are collected from the goal area and delivered to each ball projector assembly. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20140038751 | Personal Sports Simulation Robot - A sports simulation robot for playing games and drills on a standard court or field during which the robot will simulate the competitive play of a human opponent with specific playing characteristics such as strategy, physicality, playing style and skill level. The robot is small enough and light enough to be easily stored, transported and deployed; has a ball storage device for retrieving, storing and dispensing the balls; can reload the balls into the ball storage device by catching them or by autonomously reloading them; has a ball firing system that is compact, lightweight and efficient, that can generate the shot dynamics that the corresponding human opponent would be capable of generating; has a drive system that makes it capable of moving around the court at speeds that are comparable to the speed of the human opponent that is being simulated; has the ability to call shots In or Out, keep the score, provide coaching, and keeps a record over time of the player's performance against different categories of simulated opponents. | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140274481 | SPORTS EQUIPMENT COLLECTION AND RETURN DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF - One aspect of the invention provides a sports equipment collection and return device including: a vacuum tube terminating in an opening; a return adapted and configured to return the sports equipment to a user; and a vacuum source adapted and configured to apply vacuum to the vacuum tube to draw the sports equipment from the inlet to the return. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20160166907 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMPROVING A BASKETBALL PLAYER'S SHOOTING INCLUDING A TRACKING AND CONTROL SYSTEM FOR TRACKING, CONTROLLING AND REPORTING STATISTICS | 06-16-2016 |
| 20160175682 | TRAINING APPARATUS FOR DEVELOPING PROPER TENNIS SWING TECHNIQUE | 06-23-2016 |
