Tennis Ball Target Device

Abstract

A tennis ball target device is provided that may provide for at least one target element having lettering, a design, or other such visual indicia that may indicate where a user might strike the target with a tennis ball. In some embodiments, the target element may be hingedly connected at its base to a weighted base element, which in some embodiments provides the counter-force to the impact created by the tennis ball. In some embodiments, different weighted bases may be provided or associated with the present invention.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A target device, comprising:
 a vertically positioned center member having a lower portion, side walls, and an outer surface wherein the outer surface includes at least one groove configured to receive an impact of an object;   a hinge having a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side rotatably coupled to each other, the first side fixedly attached to the lower portion of the vertically positioned center member; and   a base member adapted to rest upon a flat surface and fixedly attached to the second side of the hinge.   
     
     
         2 . The target device of  claim 1 , wherein the vertically positioned center member is larger than the base member. 
     
     
         3 . The target device of  claim 1 , wherein the base member is weighted in proportion to an anticipated absorption of a force of an anticipated impact. 
     
     
         4 . The target device of  claim 1 , wherein the outer surface has at least three grooves configured to receive a force of an impact. 
     
     
         5 . A method for using a tennis ball target device as a target to receive a tennis ball from a tennis swing, comprising:
 receiving, by the tennis ball target device, the tennis ball from the tennis swing, the tennis ball target device having a first member including a surface with a depicted target, the surface indicating accuracy of a human propelled tennis ball's impact with the first member based on a tennis ball's impact location within the target and directing where the tennis ball goes subsequent to impact with the member, a hinge having a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side rotatably coupled to each other, the first side fixedly attached to the first member, and a base member fixedly attached to the second side, wherein a weight of the base member is tailored to how the human is propelling the tennis ball and in proportion to an anticipated force associated with the tennis ball's impact; and   rotating, by the first member, when the tennis ball comes into contact with the surface.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the surface includes one or more grooves. 
     
     
         7 . A target device, comprising:
 a first member having an outer surface wherein the outer surface includes at least one groove configured to receive an object's impact;   a hinge having a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side rotatably coupled to each other, the first side fixedly attached to the first member; and   a base member adapted to rest upon a flat surface and fixedly attached to the second side of the hinge.