Sports Training Apparatus

Abstract

A sports training apparatus includes a base for mounting onto a support. A rod is attached to the base in a manner in which at least part of the rod can extend beyond the base so that when the base is mounted on the support, the rod extends above the support. An elastic cord is attached to the rod at one end. A ball is attached to another end of the cord. The rod is positioned so that when a tension is set up in the cord as a result of movement of the ball away from the support in one direction, the rod and the cord can cooperate to facilitate the return of the ball over the support in an opposite direction when the cord contracts.

1 . A sports training apparatus, which comprises
 a base for mounting onto a support;   a rod that is attached to the base in a manner in which at least part of the rod can extend beyond the base so that when the base is mounted on the support, the rod extends above the support;   an elastic cord that is attached to the rod at one end; and   a ball that is attached to another end of the cord, the rod being positioned so that when a tension is set up in the cord as a result of movement of the ball away from the support in one direction, the rod and the cord can cooperate to facilitate the return of the ball over the support in an opposite direction when the cord contracts.   
     
     
         2 . A training apparatus, as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the rod is resilient so that it can bend in the direction of movement of the ball away from the support as the cord extends to help return the ball when the cord contracts and the rod straightens so that a user can strike the ball repeatedly. 
     
     
         3 . A training apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , in which the rod is pivotal relative to the base to pivot between an operative position in which the rod extends above the support when the base is mounted on the support and an inoperative position in which the rod extends below the support to avoid obstructing the ball as it returns over the support. 
     
     
         4 . A training apparatus as claimed in  claim 3 , which includes a joint for attaching the rod to the base to provide pivotal movement of the rod between the operative and inoperative positions, one of the joint and the base including a stop so that the rod stops at the operative position once it has moved away from the inoperative position under action of the ball being struck and subsequently moving over the support and so that return of the ball and subsequent slackening of the cord causes the rod to swing back down to the inoperative position to facilitate movement of the ball back over the support without obstruction by the rod. 
     
     
         5 . A training apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the rod is attached to the joint in a manner in which detachment is facilitated. 
     
     
         6 . A training apparatus as claimed in  claim 5 , in which the joint includes a tubular portion defining a passage for receiving an end of the rod, and a securing mechanism for securing the rod in the passage in a manner in which release and removal or adjustment of the height of the rod is facilitated. 
     
     
         7 . A training apparatus as claimed in  claim 6 , in which the base includes a board that can be mounted onto the support in the form of a net. 
     
     
         8 . A training apparatus as claimed in  claim 7 , in which the stop may be a stopper that is interposed between the joint and an end of the board so that when the board is mounted on the support, the joint and the stopper are positioned with the stopper above the joint and in a position for stopping the rod when the rod pivots towards an upright condition. 
     
     
         9 . A training apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , in which the board defines opposing laterally inwardly projecting recesses for winding the cord onto the board and an aperture that is shaped and sized for receiving the ball in a friction fit for storing the apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . A training apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which a swivel connector is mounted on an end of the rod to attach the cord to the rod to permit the cord to swivel with respect to the rod to avoid winding up and subsequent entanglement of the cord. 
     
     
         11 . A sports training apparatus, which comprises
 a base for mounting onto a support; and   a rod that is attached to the base in a manner in which at least part of the rod can extend beyond the base so that when the base is mounted on the support, the rod extends above the support, an elastic cord being capable of attachment to the rod at one end with the other end of the cord being connectable to a ball, the rod being positioned so that when a tension is set up in the cord as a result of movement of the ball away from the support in one direction, the rod and the cord can cooperate to facilitate the return of the ball over the support in an opposite direction when the cord contracts.   
     
     
         12 . A sports training apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 , which includes the cord, a connector being attached to the other end of the cord to permit a ball to be connected to the cord in a releasable manner. 
     
     
         13 . A sports training kit, which comprises
 a racquet; and   a sports training apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 .   
     
     
         14 . A sports training kit, which comprises
 a racquet; and   a sports training apparatus as claimed in  claim 11 .   
     
     
         15 . A sports training kit as claimed in  claim 13 , in which the base is a board that is shaped to fit within a rim of a head of the racquet while overlying strings of the racquet.