Portable, non-slip training aid for sports

Abstract

A sports training aid for indoor use, configured as a pitching rubber, a base, and/or a home plate. Each embodiment includes a textured or non-textured surface material for providing a platform upon which a user may stand, an optional substrate material attached to the underside of the surface material, and a plurality of suction devices attached to the underside of the substrate material for securing the training aid to a smooth surface. The suction devices may be mounted on or in the surface material, integral with the substrate material, or they may be a plurality of individual suction devices attached to the underside of the surface material or to the underside of the substrate material.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A sports training aid, comprising: 
 (a) a surface material for providing a platform upon which a user may stand; and    (b) at least one suction device attached to the underside of said surface material for securing said training aid to a surface.    
     
     
         2 . The sports training aid of  claim 1 , further comprising a substrate material attachable to the underside of said surface material, and wherein said at least one suction device is attached to said substrate material.  
     
     
         3 . The sports training aid of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one suction device further comprises an attachment means for attaching said device to said surface material or said substrate material.  
     
     
         4 . The sports training aid of  claim 2 , wherein said at least one suction device is integral with said substrate material.  
     
     
         5 . The sports training aid of  claim 1 , wherein said training aid is substantially rectangular, square or pentagonal in shape.  
     
     
         6 . A sports training aid, comprising: 
 (a) a surface material for providing a platform upon which a user may stand;    (b) a substrate material attached to the underside of said surface material; and    (c) a plurality of suction devices attached to the underside of said substrate material for securing said training aid to a smooth surface.    
     
     
         7 . The sports training aid of  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of suction devices is attached to said surface material.  
     
     
         8 . The sports training aid of  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of suction devices is integral with said substrate.  
     
     
         9 . The sports training aid of  claim 6 , wherein said plurality of suction devices further comprises a plurality of individual suction devices attached to the underside of said surface material or to the underside of said substrate material.  
     
     
         10 . The sports training aid of  claim 9 , wherein each of said suction devices further comprises an attachment means for attachment to said surface material or said substrate material.  
     
     
         11 . The sports training aid of  claim 10 , wherein said attachment means further comprises a screw and a washer.  
     
     
         12 . The sports training aid of  claim 6 , wherein said training aid is substantially rectangular, square or pentagonal in shape.  
     
     
         13 . A method of making a sports training aid, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) cutting a piece of surface material to a desired size and shape; and    (b) attaching at least one suction device to the underside of said sports training aid.    
     
     
         14 . The method of making a sports training aid, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) cutting a piece of surface material to a desired size and shape;    (b) cutting a piece of substrate material to substantially match the dimensions of said surface material;    (c) attaching at least one suction device to said substrate material; and    (d) attaching said substrate material to the underside of said surface material.    
     
     
         15 . A method of using a sports training aid, said training aid comprising a surface material, an optional substrate material, and a plurality of suction devices attached to said surface material or said substrate material, comprising the steps of: 
 (a) placing said training aid onto a smooth surface with said suction devices contacting said smooth surface; and    (b) applying pressure to the top of said training aid until said aid is secured to said smooth surface.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising the step of wetting said suction devices before placing said training aid onto said smooth surface.