Sports training device

Abstract

A sports training device (10) comprising a ball (12) with a rotatable coupling (20) located inside the ball (12) that is configured to rotatably connect the ball (12) to a tether (14), such that, in use, the ball (12) is permitted to rotate relative to the tether (14).

1 . A sports training device comprising a ball and a rotatable coupling located inside the ball, the rotatable coupling being configured to rotatably connect the ball to a tether, such that, in use, the ball is permitted to rotate relative to the tether, the rotatable coupling comprising a first element and a second element configured to rotate relative to the first element, the first element being engaged with the ball and the second element being engaged with the tether, wherein the rotatable coupling restricts translatory movement of the first and second elements relative to each other. 
     
     
         2 . The sports training device of  claim 1 , wherein the ball has a cover that defines an interior of the ball. 
     
     
         3 . The sports training device of  claim 2 , wherein the coupling is accessible through or extends through an opening in the cover. 
     
     
         4 . The sports training device of  claim 3 , further comprising a bushing that reduces frictional resistance between the coupling or tether and the cover. 
     
     
         5 . The sports training device of  claim 3 , further comprising a support member located within the interior and configured to hold the coupling in alignment with the opening. 
     
     
         6 . The sports training device of  claim 5 , wherein the support member includes a recess, the coupling being at least partly accommodated within the recess. 
     
     
         7 . The sports training device of  claim 6 , wherein the coupling comprises a body that is shaped and sized to conform to the recess and a stem that extends from the body and at least partly into the opening of the cover. 
     
     
         8 . The sports training device of  claim 6 , wherein the body is rotatably mounted within the recess. 
     
     
         9 . The sports training device of  claim 6 , wherein the body is fixedly mounted within the recess. 
     
     
         10 . The sports training device of  claim 9 , wherein the support member includes engagement features configured to engage with the body to limit movement of the body within the recess. 
     
     
         11 . The sports training device of  claim 5 , wherein the support member is formed from a compressible material. 
     
     
         12 . The sports training device of  claim 5 , wherein the ball further comprises an inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         13 . The sports training device of  claim 12 , wherein the support member is located between the cover and the inflatable bladder. 
     
     
         14 . The sports training device of  claim 3 , wherein the ball is ovoid in shape, and the opening in the cover is located at a longitudinal pole thereof. 
     
     
         15 . The sports training device of  claim 1 , wherein the ball comprises a substantially solid core. 
     
     
         16 . The sports training device of  claim 1 , further comprising an elastic tether that is adapted to be secured to a user, such that, in use, with the tether connected to the coupling and to the user, application of an external force to the ball by the user results in the ball being propelled away from the user with the tether imparting a biasing force onto the ball to thereby return the ball towards the user. 
     
     
         17 . A rotatable coupling for connecting a ball to a tether, the coupling being adapted to be mounted inside the ball and being configured to rotatably connect the ball to the tether so as to permit rotation of the ball with respect to the tether, the rotatable coupling comprising a first element and a second element configured to rotate relative to the first element, the first element being engageable with the ball and the second element being engageable with the tether, wherein the rotatable coupling restricts translatory movement of the first and second elements relative to each other.