Tennis racquet training device and method

Abstract

A tennis racquet training device is disclosed including a spherical member made up of two spherical half members. One spherical half member includes a stem portion, and the other spherical half member includes a spring biased detent mechanism for releasably receiving the stem portion. The tennis racquet training device is releasably secured to the racquet by a quick release button which actuates the spring biased detent mechanism.

1 . A tennis racquet training device comprising:
 a spherical member made up of a first spherical half member and a second spherical half member;   a stem portion provided on an interior planar surface of the first spherical half member;   a spring biased detent mechanism provided within the second spherical half member for releasably receiving the stem portion of the first spherical half member;   a quick release button provided on the second spherical half member in order to actuate the spring biased detent mechanism; and   an annular lip provided on the second spherical half member and surrounding said quick release button in order to inhibit accidental actuation.   
     
     
         2 . The tennis racquet training device of  claim 1 , wherein the stem portion is provided with an annular shoulder portion thereabout. 
     
     
         3 . The tennis racquet training device of  claim 2 , wherein the stem portion is provided with an enlarged head. 
     
     
         4 . The tennis racquet training device of  claim 1 , wherein the spring biased detent mechanism is provided with a slidable sleeve having an inner sleeve shoulder portion. 
     
     
         5 . The tennis racquet training device of  claim 4 , wherein the inner sleeve shoulder portion engages a plurality of spherical elements. 
     
     
         6 . The tennis racquet training device of  claim 4 , wherein the slidable sleeve is provided with an annular recess to selectively receive a plurality of spherical elements. 
     
     
         7 . The tennis racquet training device of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of weights, wherein the plurality of weights is adjustable. 
     
     
         8 . A combination tennis racquet and tennis racquet training device comprising:
 a tennis racquet having a grid of strings; and   a tennis racquet training device comprising:   a spherical member made up of a first spherical half member and a second spherical half member;   a stem portion provided on an interior planar surface of the first spherical half member; a spring biased detent mechanism provided within the second spherical half member for releasably receiving the stem portion of the first spherical half member;   a quick release button provided on the second spherical half member in order to actuate the spring biased detent mechanism; and   an annular lip provided on the second spherical half member and surrounding said quick release button in order to inhibit accidental actuation, wherein the racquet training device is releasably secured to the racquet.   
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 8 , wherein the stem portion of the first spherical half member is secured through the grid of strings, and wherein the second spherical half member having the spring biased detent mechanism is mounted on the stem portion of the first spherical half member. 
     
     
         10 . A method of using a tennis racquet training device on a tennis racquet comprising:
 pushing a quick release button on the tennis racquet training device to actuate a spring bias detent mechanism, thereby allowing spherical half members to slightly separate and unlock;   pulling apart the spherical half members, after being unlocked;   attaching the racquet training device to a racquet by inserting a stem portion through strings of the racquet;   aligning the spherical half member having the spring biased detent mechanism with the stem portion of the other spherical half member;   pressing the spherical half members together around strings of the tennis racquet to lock in place; and   placing the tennis racquet training device in various positions on the tennis racquet to train different types of shots.