Rebound Sports Training Apparatus

Abstract

A portable rebound (or deflecting) sports training device having at least a first rebound panel or surface adapted to rebound a ball away from the device, and a support structure adapted to hold the panel in a first, operational condition in which the panel is held generally upright; the panel and the support structure having a second, transport or storage, configuration relative to each other such that the panel and support structure lie flatter (or generally flat) relative to each other in the direction transverse to the rebound panel such that the device occupies less space.

1 . A portable rebound soccer football training device having a rebound panel comprising a plurality of projections against which in use a football is to be directed for rebounding or deflecting from the panel, the projections comprising spaced apart projections having tips adapted to flex the surface of a football inwards into the football, in use, and the tips being spaced between ½ inch and 3½ inches apart. 
   
   
       2 . A portable rebound soccer football training device according to  claim 1  wherein the tips are spaced apart by a distance from the group:
 (i) between 1 and 2 inches   (ii) between 1 and 1½ inches   (iii) about 1½ inches   (iv) about 1¾ inches.   
   
   
       3 . A portable rebound soccer football training device according to  claim 1  in which the projections have pointed tips, and wherein the panel extends generally upright. 
   
   
       4 . A portable rebound soccer football training device according to  claim 3 , wherein the projections comprise elongate ribs or ridges. 
   
   
       5 . A portable rebound soccer football training device according to  claim 4  wherein the ribs or ridges are provided with a pointed tip and wherein the ribs or ridges extend generally parallel to each other, and are evenly spaced apart. 
   
   
       6 . A portable rebound soccer football training device according to  claim 1  wherein the projections are formed from a zig-zag corrugated sheet. 
   
   
       7 . A portable rebound soccer football training device according to  claim 1  comprising at least one support or foot adapted to hold the panel generally upright in use. 
   
   
       8 . A portable rebound soccer football training device according to  claim 1  wherein the support comprises at least one side frame or panel extending in use generally transversely to the rebound panel. 
   
   
       9 . A portable rebound soccer football training device according to  claim 8  wherein the or each side panel or frame has a triangular shape such that force from a ball that hits the rebound panel is directed at least in part into the ground, via the or each side panel or frame. 
   
   
       10 . A portable rebound soccer football training device according to  claim 9  wherein there are two side panels or frames, and a bracing member connects them at a region of the side panels or frames disposed away from the region of the panels or frames connected to the rebound panel. 
   
   
       11 . A portable rebound soccer football training device according to  claim 1  wherein in use the device comprises a triangle or quadrilateral, or other closed shape, bounded on at least three, or four, sides by structural members, at least one of the structural members comprising the rebound panel, and having open sides above and below the plane of the triangle, quadrilateral, or other closed shape, defined by the structural members, and wherein the open sides are disposed one against the ground in use and another, opposed to the one open side, at the top of the device. 
   
   
       12 . A portable rebound soccer football training device according to  claim 1  wherein the device can be rolled, turned, or otherwise moved to a different orientation relative to the ground so that the same rebound panel can have two different angles of inclination relative to the ground, with the device in two different orientations relative to the ground. 
   
   
       13 . A portable rebound soccer football training device according to  claim 1  further comprising one or more feet adapted to engage the ground or floor, and wherein the feet are removable from first feet-location positions on the device and reattachable at second feet-location devices, so as to enable the same feet to be used with the device in different orientations relative to the ground. 
   
   
       14 . A kit for assembly into a portable rebound sports training device, the kit comprising:
 a first rebound panel adapted to rebound or deflect a ball away from the device;   a support structure adapted to hold the panel in a first operational condition in which the panel is held generally upright;   the first rebound panel and support structure being flat packed to occupy less space compared to when the device is in its operational condition;   and wherein the rebound panel comprises a zig-zag formed sheet having a plurality of ridges having pointed tips adapted to project into the surface of a ball that hits the panel, the tips of the ridges being between ½ inch and 3½ inches apart.   
   
   
       15 . A portable training device comprising at least one substantially upright corrugated rebound panel defining a flat or curved substantially horizontally-orientated series of tipped ridges, and at least a first substantially perpendicular support panel in connection with said rebound box. 
   
   
       16 . The device of  claim 15 , further comprising a second substantially perpendicular support panel in connection with said rebound panel and being spaced apart from said first support panel. 
   
   
       17 . The device of  claim 16 , further comprising at least one cross member connected between said first and said second support panels. 
   
   
       18 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said first and second support panels further comprising top and bottom standing ends, said top and bottom standing ends comprising apertures for receiving removable members positioned between said support panels and a horizontal surface. 
   
   
       19 . The device of  claim 15 , wherein said tipped ridges are spaced apart by a distance of 1 inch; 1¼ inches, 1½ inches, 1¾ inches, or two inches. 
   
   
       20 . A training device comprising:
 (a) a substantially upright corrugated panel having panel top and bottom standing ends, said panel defining a horizontal series of ridged tips, wherein the tips are spaced approximately 1¾ inches apart, said corrugated panel being in connection with:   (b) two substantially orthogonally orientated side panels having side panel top and bottom standing ends, said side member top and bottom standing ends comprising one or more apertures for receiving removable foot members;   (c) a bracing member connected between said side panels, said side panels being adapted to receive said bracing member, and said bracing member comprising a spring mechanism for connection and disconnection between said side panels.