Rebound Sports Training Apparatus

Abstract

A portable rebound (or deflecting) sports training device having at least a first rebound panel or surface adapted to rebound a ball away from the device, and a support structure adapted to hold the panel in a first, operational condition in which the panel is held generally upright; the panel and the support structure having a second, transport or storage, configuration relative to each other such that the panel and support structure lie flatter (or generally flat) relative to each other in the direction transverse to the rebound panel such that the device occupies less space.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]Many people will have played a game where a football is kicked against a brick wall and the rebound is then played (e.g. kicking it again against the brick wall with one or two touches). This game can be played by a single player or by more than one player, for example taking it in turns to kick the ball. The game helps to develop ball control skills and the skills in estimating the timing of running to meet a ball.[0002]Unfortunately, there is not always a brick wall to hand. Some walls have windows. Some are next to roads. Some are simply not present (eg in the middle of a field).[0003]An aim of one embodiment of the invention is to provide a sports training rebound apparatus that is portable and can be conveniently moved and positioned in whatever desired location.[0004]The invention is not restricted to football training apparatus, for example, cricket and hockey are also specifically envisaged as applications.SUMMARY OF INVENTION[0005]The scope of th...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]As mentioned, it is a typical pastime and training drill for people (children, young adults and old adults) who play ball sports (such as football / soccer) to project a ball toward a surface such as a wall and for the ball to rebound back to them for them then to repeat the exercise. This invention gives people the opportunity to practice this type of drill in a number of different situations with one or a number of wall type surfaces available. Some embodiments of the invention are designed to be able to be assembled from flat pack and dissembled such that the rebound boxes can be used anywhere. For example one typical constraint of a child using a walled area in say a garden is that the wall is normally fixed. This can result in a grassed area getting repeated use which causes excessive wear in some areas eg muddy areas. The mobility of the rebound box means that it can be moved to different locations thereby reducing the excessive wear in certain areas. Of additional benefit is the ability to use one or a number of rebound boxes in training drills with one or a number of people participating. The design of rebound box is such that the surfaces of the box may be flat or any number of different surface shapes. This variety of shapes gives the participants increased enjoyment and challenge in accommodating the path of the ball having rebounded from the rebound box or been deflected by a surface of the rebound box. The mobility of the rebound box means that it can be used on say football training grounds in a way that a fixed wall would not have the convenience to provide. The invention gives participants unlimited imagination in the way to use one or a number of rebound boxes for training drills or for fun. The rebound box is not limited to its use in football, but can be used in anyway where a surface would be fun and / or useful in rebounding or deflecting a ball. For example, it could be deployed in one form as a cricket training drill device.

[0024]According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a portable rebound (or deflecting) sports training device having at least a first rebound panel or surface adapted to rebound a ball away from the device, and a support structure adapted to hold the panel in a first, operational condition in which the panel is held generally upright; the panel and the support structure having a second, transport or storage, configuration relative to each other such that the panel and support structure lie flatter (or generally flat) relative to each other in the direction transverse to the rebound panel such that the device occupies less space.

Problems solved by technology

This can result in a grassed area getting repeated use which causes excessive wear in some areas eg muddy areas.

The mobility of the rebound box means that it can be used on say football training grounds in a way that a fixed wall would not have the convenience to provide.

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