(19)
(11) EP 1 285 681 A2

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
26.02.2003 Bulletin 2003/09

(21) Application number: 01500272.8

(22) Date of filing: 17.11.2001
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7A63B 69/38
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR
Designated Extension States:
AL LT LV MK RO SI

(30) Priority: 27.11.2000 ES 200002761

(71) Applicant: Cerezo Nicolas, Jesus
Velilla de San Antonio, 28891 Madrid (ES)

(72) Inventor:
  • Cerezo Nicolas, Jesus
    Velilla de San Antonio, 28891 Madrid (ES)

   


(54) Tennis training system


(57) A tennis training system comprising a ball fixed to one end of an elastic, the other end of the elastic being attached to one of three independent anchoring systems, namely:

a) a solid iron base,

b) a pointed rod, or

c) a ground-fastened iron hoop.






Description


[0001] This invented system consists of an apparatus by means of which players can train regardless of the individual level of their play, be they beginners, advanced or looking for improving their proficiency. Such versatility is achieved because of the fact that the ball always returns to the precise spot from where it was hit.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION



[0002] The existence is known of apparatuses similar to this one, although they are anything but identical. This specific apparatus achieves such a level of perfection in the return and bounce of the ball after having been hit, that it makes it different from all others. This is due to the novel holding system applied to the ball. Other existing systems make it impossible to train in a normal way, since the ball never returns with a uniform direction and bounce, for the ball's holding system renders it incapable of doing it.

INVENTION'S DESCRIPTION



[0003] The training system known as MAXIMUM TENNIS is made up of three independent parts:

[0004] The first consists of a base weighing 1.800 Kg. and whose dimensions are 100 x 60 x 40 mm., with a depression running the length of its perimeter and intended to hold the elastic band; it also includes a chromium-plated ring intended to hold a snap ring. Secured to this snap ring there is an immediate recovery rubber band, 4 mm. in diameter and 3.12 m. in length.

[0005] The other end of the rubber band has the tennis ball mounted on it, the upper part of which tennis ball has a drill hole 3 mm in diameter plus another, 2 mm in diameter, in the lower part. Inside the tennis ball are placed the holding knots of this system, which make the ball accurately to return to the hitting point in readiness to be hit again.

[0006] The next part of this training system consists of a metal-sheet sharp point whose dimensions are 50 x 30 x 6 mm, at whose end there is tipped gusset enabling it to get stuck in a grass as well a in a sand court, and guaranteeing a perfect fastening when it comes to hit the ball.

[0007] The rubber band and ball system is exactly the same as in the other training system.

[0008] The third part this training system is solely intended for training in tennis courts, being a ground-fastened system; also in this third system the holding system used for ball and rubber band is the same, although this third training system has a special feature, namely that it makes it possible to practise every single tennis shot, the basic ones as well as those more specialised.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE FAVOURITE SETTING



[0009] The MAXIMUM TENNIS system is simple but it has been thoroughly and successfully tested, it is easy to manufacture and very safe with regard to the life span of the apparatus, for both materials and accessories are of good quality and easy to replace. In the weight system, the starting point is an iron block with a depressed channel running the length of the perimeter intended for holding the recovery rubber band; on top of it, a chromium-plated metallic ring is placed and screwed in. A chromium-plated automatic snap ring, to which the recovery rubber band is tied up, is hooked onto the said ring; at the other end of the recovery rubber band the tennis ball with the inside knot system is placed; that is to say, the rubber band, once the knots have tied up, is inserted into the ball through its upper part, the said knots being, then, blocked inside the ball since the ball's outlet is narrower than the knots. In the sunk gusset system, a metal part is manufactured, as previously described, having a drill hole in its back side, onto which the automatic chromium-plated snap ring is hooked. From this point on, the whole system is exactly as described in the preceding section. The ground-fastened system only varies in the fact that the fastening to the ground is achieved by means of a drill hole into which a plastic plug is inserted, and a ring is screwed in it in order to hook the automatic chromium-plated snap ring. From this point on, the whole system is identical to the others.


Claims

1. The weight system consists of:

a) Solid iron base measuring 100 x 60 x 40 mm and including depression to hold the rubber band and chromium-plated ring in its upper part.

b) Rubber and felt tennis ball.

c) Recovery rubber band with a diameter of 4 mm and a nylon length of 3.12 meters.

d ) 30 mm automatic chromium-plated snap ring and knot-cover plastic jacket.


 
2. The driven-into-the-ground gusset system consists of:

a) A 50 x 30 x 6 mm plate.

b) A 135 x 8 mm point-tipped calibrated rod to be driven into the ground, with a 15 mm tip.

c) Rubber and felt tennis ball.

d) Recovery rubber band with a diameter of 4 mm and a nylon length of 3.12 meters.

e) 30 mm automatic chromium-plated snap ring and knot-cover plastic jacket.


 
3. The ground-fastened system consists of:

a) Rubber and felt tennis ball.

b) Recovery rubber band with a diameter of 4 mm and a nylon length of 3.12 meters.

c) 30 mm automatic chromium-plated snap ring and knot cover plastic jacket.


 




Drawing