NO342252B1 - Exercise equipment for ball games - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a training apparatus (1) with a plurality of selectable activatable target objects (121, 122, ..., 126) arranged to record hits of a movable play object (3), wherein the target objects (121, 122, ..., 126) are arranged on a wall (11) and connected to a control unit (14) adapted to activate the selected target object (12, 1, 122, 126) and an indicator (131, 132, ..., 136) adapted to being able to identify the activated target object (121, 122, ..., 126) and associated and arranged by said target object (121, 122, ..., 126), for a period determined by the control unit (14). The invention also relates to a method of training a team player's playing skill by using the training apparatus (1).

Description

TRAINING DEVICE FOR BALL GAMES

A training device is described with several selectively activatable target objects designed to register hits by a moving game object. It also describes a procedure for training a team player's playing skills using the training device.

Within team sports that use a ball, it is known to use technical aids for recording parameters that give values for shot speed and accuracy against a specified target. In its simplest form, shooting skills can be trained by shooting at a static object, for example an ordinary football or handball goal that includes a frame and a net. Shot speed can typically be measured with a so-called sports radar that measures the speed of an object, see for example the Pure2Improve Sports Radar from Pure2Improve, Etten-Leur, The Netherlands and the Bushnell Speedster III Sports Radar Gun from Bushnell Outdoor Products, Overland Park, Missouri, USA.

Studies of the best players in football have shown that, in addition to excellent ball-handling skills, they often differ from players with ordinary skills in that they have an extraordinarily good overview of the position and direction of movement of teammates and opponents. One can observe that such players largely move with their eyes raised, as they have trained the ability to control the ball without having to look at the ball in receiving and shooting situations.

From US2009069123A1, an apparatus for training ball control is known, where a training field is delimited by several plate elements arranged in an approximately circular arrangement, and where each plate element comprises a hitting plate with at least one target field facing inwards towards the training field. The apparatus comprises means for optionally activating individual target fields sequentially in a predetermined or random order, the target fields being arranged to respond to ball hits by deactivating the target field and activating the next individual target field in the set sequence. Image screens can be placed on masters arranged in the connection between adjacent plate elements for displaying images or text to which the user must respond. The screens can also show the game result or other relevant information. Each target field can be provided with means which are arranged in the plate element and which provide an acoustic and/or visual signal to make the player aware of the active target field, for example speakers arranged in each end part of the plate element, or light sources.

From US2014179385A1 systems and methods for training sports skills are known. It describes vertically arranged, planar wall elements that delimit a training field. The wall elements are provided with means for conveying information to a user using sound and light, for example spoken instructions and instructions given as text or images. The wall elements are also equipped with sensors for recording hits against the wall element, for example hits with a ball.

WO2016027074A1 describes an apparatus for use in football training. A circular wall delimits a training field. Several target indicators are distributed along the inside of the wall. The target indicators are shown as vertical light bars. The target indicators are activated sequentially by a control system. Sensors, such as sensors that detect vibration in the wall due to hitting a ball, indicate where the player hits. A control system records how the hit matches the activated target indicator.

The purpose of the invention is to remedy or to reduce at least one of the disadvantages of known technology, or at least to provide a useful alternative to known technology.

The purpose is achieved by the features indicated in the description below and in the subsequent patent claims.

The invention provides an apparatus which is suitable for use in training a ball player's ability to look up from the ball in order to keep track of where teammates and opponents who are important for the next move are located.

The invention relates to a training device comprising several target objects which are arranged to record hits by a moving game object, typically a ball. At each target object there is an indicator which warns that the target object has been activated for registration of hits, typically in the form of a warning light at a height roughly corresponding to the height of the player who will be using the training device. The target objects are connected to a control unit which is at least designed to be able to indicate a target object that the training player must aim at in the next move by lighting the warning lamp for a certain period of time. The control unit is preferably designed to be able to select target objects in a random order. It is an advantage if the length of the activation period and the intervals between the activation periods can be adjusted.

The indicator that warns that the target object has been activated can possibly give a warning with an audio signal.

The target objects are preferably provided with means designed to be able to register and indicate hits, for example by the target object being formed as a pressure-sensitive plate. It is an advantage if the target object is connected to the control unit for recording hits.

The target objects are preferably arranged on a wall which is typically made of a material with sufficient hardness or elasticity so that a game object, for example a ball that hits the wall, bounces back from the wall. The wall is preferably 60-90 cm high. It is an advantage if a net extends up from the wall and is designed to catch a game object that does not hit the wall.

The wall is preferably sectioned so that the exercise equipment can be easily set up and taken down. Several wall sections can be connected together, for example, to define a training field, typically a polygonal field completely enclosed by connected wall sections. Thus, the training player will have potentially active target objects on many sides and in very different directions, and the ball will not leave the training field.

The target object's size and orientation are adapted to the skill to be practiced. For football and handball, the goal object can typically have an area of 50 x 50 cm with its lower side edge arranged approx.

10 cm above and parallel to the ground. The size of the training field is typically in the area of 200-300 m<2>. It is an advantage if the center of the training field is marked so that the training player can more easily position himself in relation to the target objects.

At least one of the target objects preferably includes means for recording a ball's hit parameters, typically the ball's point of impact within the target object's boundaries and impact speed at the moment of impact.

In order to achieve training results of high value, many hits on activated target objects must be registered in a certain time period. Since the activation of the target object is carried out by the control unit and is notified with an indicator at the target object, the training player must constantly practice keeping an eye on, possibly listening for the indicators around him. This achieves the desired effect: The player increases his skills in handling the ball while he or she keeps an eye on what is happening in the surroundings. The invention thus also provides a new procedure for training a ball player's playing skills.

The results can be presented continuously or after the end of the training period. It is a further advantage if the control unit is connected to a screen where the player can remotely read the registrations.

It is an advantage if the player can choose the degree of difficulty himself, for example by choosing the length of the interval and activation period for each target object, gradation of hit value for different parts of a target object, scoring for firing speed (for example absolute firing speed or speed within limit values). It is an advantage if the results can be logged and retrieved for subsequent analysis, etc.

The invention is defined by the independent patent claims. The independent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.

In a first aspect, the invention relates more specifically to a training device with several selectively activatable target objects arranged to register hits by a moving game object, where the target objects are arranged on a wall and are connected to a control unit which is arranged to be able to activate the selected target object and an indicator which is designed to be able to identify the activated target object and is associated and arranged at said target object, for a period of time determined by the control unit characterized by the fact that the indicator is arranged above the target object.

The wall can be made up of several wall sections, where at least some of the wall sections are provided with a target object.

The control unit can be arranged to be able to activate the target objects in a random order.

The length of the activation period and the interval between activation periods can be adjustable.

The target object can be provided with means designed to be able to register hits of the game object against the target object.

Several wall sections can be connected to define a training field.

The moving game object can be a ball.

The indicator may comprise at least a light source or a sound source arranged at the target object.

At least one target object may comprise means for recording the moving game object's hit parameters taken from the group comprising hit range and impact speed.

An information screen can be arranged to display a selection of hit parameters registered in the control unit.

In a second aspect, the invention relates more specifically to a procedure for training a team player's playing skills using a training device as described above, characterized in that the procedure includes the following steps:

- delimiting a training field by means of a wall provided with several target objects;

- to activate a control unit which is connected to the training device;

- bringing a movable game object into the training field;

- allowing the control unit to activate a target object arranged on the wall and allowing the activated target object to be identified by means of an indicator associated with and arranged at said target object for a period of time determined by the control unit;

- to record the game object's hit against the target object; and

- to activate further target objects in a sequence and to register the game object's hits against the target objects.

The method includes the further step:

- to activate the target objects in a random order.

The method may comprise the further step of:

- to regulate the length of time for activation of each target object and/or the length of the intervals between each activation period.

The method may comprise the further step of:

- to give one or more of the target objects a graded division into hit areas.

The method may comprise the further step of:

- to record the impact speed of the playing object when hitting at least one of the target objects.

In what follows, an example of a preferred embodiment is described which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, where:

Fig.1 shows a section of a training device according to the invention, where a target object divided into several fields and an indicator that warns that a target object has been activated are arranged on a wall;

Fig.2 shows a wall section on a smaller scale; and

Fig.3 shows on a smaller scale a training device that delimits a polygonal training field.

In the figures, the reference number 1 indicates a training device provided with a wall 11 which is shown here formed by several wall sections 111, 112, ..., 116. Figure 1 shows a section of one wall section 111. Each wall section 111, 112, ..., 116 is formed by a wall surface 111 preferably formed by a material with sufficient hardness or elasticity that a game object 3, typically a ball (see Figure 3), which is sent towards the wall surface 111, bounces back from the wall 11. The wall is preferably 60-90 cm high . Up from the wall 11 extends a net 112 which is designed to catch a game object 3 that does not hit the wall 11.

Several target objects 121, 122, ..., 126 are arranged on the wall 11. In the embodiment shown, a target object 121, 122, ..., 126 is arranged centered on each wall section 111, 112, ..., 116 with a lower edge of the target object 121, 122 , ..., 126 at a distance from the lower edge of the wall 111, typically about 10 cm. The target object 121, 122, ..., 126 is typically square with a side edge length in the range of 40-60 cm, but other geometric shapes can also be used.

In Figure 1, a target object 111 is shown divided into several target fields 121, also called hit areas, marked with target field boundaries 121a. The target objects 121, 122, ..., 126 are provided with at least one hit register 122, for example a pressure-sensitive sensor. In Figure 1, each goal field 121 is provided with a hit recorder 122 for graduated registration of hits against the target object's 121 different target fields 121. At least one target object 121, 122, ..., 126 can be provided with a hit recorder 122 which can record the speed of the game object 3 at the moment of impact.

An indicator 131, 132, ..., 136 is arranged above each target object 121, 122, ..., 126, typically in the form of a light or sound source. The height of the indicator 131, 132, ..., 136 above the ground can be adjusted to adapt to a player's body height or the nature of a game.

Target object 121, 122, ..., 126 and the indicators 131, 132, ..., 136 are connected to a control unit 14 (see figure 3). The control unit 14 is arranged to activate a selected target object 121, 122, ..., 126 for recording hits against the selected target object 121, 122, ..., 126 for a time period that can be set by the player using the training device 1. The respective indicator 131, 132, …, 136 notifies the player that the selected target object 121, 122, …, 126 is active. If the target object 121, 122, ..., 126 is hit by the game object 3 while it is activated, the hit is registered. Hits can be indicated by the respective indicator 131, 132, ..., 136 and can also be registered in the control unit 14.

The control unit 14 is programmed to activate the target objects 121, 122, ..., 126 in a random or specific order. The time period each target object 121, 122, ..., 126 is activated and the activation intervals can also be programmed, individually or jointly for all target objects 121, 122, ..., 126.

The training device 1 is also provided with an information screen 15 (see Figure 3) for displaying the results achieved, for example the number of hits, hit percentage, hit points if one or more target objects 121, 122, ..., 126 have graded hit areas, shot speed at the moment of hit, statistical results from previous practice rounds for a player or group of players, etc.

The control unit 14 is designed to be able to contain control instructions for various types of games, for example for football, handball, cricket, ice hockey, bandy and other team games where the purpose is for a team to achieve as many hits as possible against a goal with a game object 3.

It should be noted that all of the above embodiments illustrate the invention, but do not limit it, and those skilled in the art will be able to devise many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the requirements, reference numbers in parentheses should not be seen as limiting.

The use of the verb "to comprise" and its various forms does not exclude the presence of elements or steps not mentioned in the claims. The indefinite articles "an", "ei" or "et" before an element do not exclude the presence of several such elements.

The fact that certain features are listed in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these features cannot be advantageously used.

Claims (15)

Pa ten tkra v 1. Training device (1) with several selectably activatable target objects (121, 122, ..., 126) designed to register hits by a moving game object (3), where the target objects (121, 122, ..., 126) are arranged on a wall ( 11) and is connected to a control unit (14) which is designed to be able to activate the selected target object (121, 122, ..., 126) and an indicator (131, 132, ..., 136) which is designed to be able to identify the activated the target object (121, 122, ..., 126) and is associated and arranged at said target object (121, 122, ..., 126), in a time period determined by the control unit (14), characterized by the indicator (131, 132, ..., 136) is arranged above the target object (121, 122, ..., 126). 2. Training device (1) according to claim 1, where the wall (11) is formed by several wall sections (111, 112, ..., 116), where at least some of the wall sections (111, 112, ..., 116) are provided with a target object (121, 122, ..., 126). 3. Training device (1) according to claim 1, where the control unit (14) is arranged to be able to activate the target objects (121, 122, ..., 126) in a random order. 4. Training device (1) according to claim 1, where the length of the activation period and the interval between the activation periods are adjustable. 5. Training device (1) according to claim 1, where the target object (121, 122, ..., 126) is provided with means designed to be able to register hits of the game object (3) against the target object (121, 122, ..., 126). 6. Training apparatus (1) according to claim 1, where several wall sections (11, 112, ..., 116) are interconnected and define a training field (2). 7. Training device (1) according to claim 1, where the movable game object (3) is a ball. 8. Training device (1) according to claim 1, where the indicator (13) comprises at least a light source or a sound source arranged at the target object (12). 9. Training device (1) according to claim 1, where at least one target object (121, 122, ..., 126) includes means for recording the moving game object's (3) hit parameters taken from the group comprising hit area (121) and impact speed. 10. Training device (1) according to claim 1, where an information screen (15) is arranged to display a selection of hitting parameters registered in the control unit (14). 11. Procedure for training a team player's playing skills using a training device (1) according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that the procedure includes the following steps: - delimiting a training field (2) by means of a wall (11) provided with several target objects (121, 122, ..., 126); - to activate a control unit (14) which is associated with the training device (1); - bringing a movable game object (3) into the training field (2); - allowing the control unit (14) to activate a target object (121, 122, ..., 126) arranged on the wall (11) and allowing the activated target object (121, 122, ..., 126) to be identified by means of an indicator (131, 132) , ..., 136) associated and arranged at said target object (121, 122, ..., 126) in a time period determined by the control unit (14); - registering the game object's (3) hit against the target object (121, 122, ..., 126); and - to activate further target objects (121, 122, ..., 126) in a sequence and to record the hit of the game object (3) against the target objects (121, 122, ..., 126). 12. Method according to claim 11, where the method comprises the further step: - to activate the target objects (121, 122, ..., 126) in a random order. 13. Method according to claim 11, where the method comprises the further step: - to regulate the length of the time period for activation of each target object (121, 122, ..., 126) and/or the length of the intervals between each activation period. 14. Method according to claim 10, where the method comprises the further step: - giving one or more of the target objects (121, 122, ..., 126) a graded division into hit areas (121). 15. Method according to claim 11, where the method comprises the further step: - to record the impact speed of the game object (3) when hitting at least one of the target objects (121, 122, ..., 126).