US3876203A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for use in practicing tennis strokes
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1974-04-04
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Granted: 1975-04-08
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Expires: 1994-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A device for use in practicing tennis strokes has a base to which a support is connected to swing in any direction relative thereto from a normal position. A resilient ball holder is secured to the free end of the support and extends laterally relative to the base and lengthwise of the path of a practice stroke but is sufficiently flexible to collapse under the impact of the racket without significant resistance while transmitting force to the support to cause it to swing out of the path of the racket. The device may be used in the practice of serves or return strokes and in the former case, it must be positioned with the support horizontal and at a sufficient height. The ball may be permanently secured to the holder or supported by a cup to be driven therefrom.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip Gold
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 00:13
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/0073; A63B69/0075; A63B69/0091; A63B69/38
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A device for use with a tennis racket in improving tennis strokes, said device comprising a base, a support, means connecting said support to said base to enable said support to swing in any direction relative thereto from a normal position and including resilient means yieldably biasing said support into said normal position, a resilient ball holder secured to the free end of the support and extending laterally therefrom, said ball holder being sufficiently flexible to collapse under the impact of a racket without significant resistance or interference with the follow-through of a practise stroke while transmitting force to the support to cause it to swing out of the path of said practise stroke, and said support including a substantially Ushaped section having upper and lower arms, said lower arm including a downwardly depending portion and said upper arm being connected to said ball holder.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
145 words
A device for use with a tennis racket in improving tennis strokes, said device comprising a base, a support, means connecting said support to said base to enable said support to swing in any direction relative thereto from a normal position and including resilient means yieldably biasing said support into said normal position, a resilient ball holder secured to the free end of the support and extending laterally therefrom, said ball holder being sufficiently flexible to collapse under the impact of a racket without significant resistance or interference with the follow-through of a practise stroke while transmitting force to the support to cause it to swing out of the path of said practise stroke, and said support including a substantially Ushaped section having upper and lower arms, said lower arm including a downwardly depending portion and said upper arm being connected to said ball holder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 and a ball secured to the holder with the support in alignment with a radius thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1 in which the holder includes a ball supporting cup whose margins are sufficiently flexible to prevent any appreciable resistance to a racket when it engages and drives the ball therefrom.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 3 in which the diameter of the cup is substantially less than that of a conventional lawn tennis ball.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 1 in which the holder includes a ball support of substantially smaller cross sectional area than the circumference of a conventional lawn tennis ball.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1 in which the support also includes a post connected to said means, said portion and said post being interconnected to enable said ball holder to be vertically adjustable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The device of claim 1 in which the ball holder has a tubular portion fitted on the free end of the upper arm of the U-shaped section.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
170 words
A device for use with a tennis racket in improving tennis strokes, said device comprising a base, said base including a ring, a fixed holder pivotally supporting the ring at diametrically opposed points, opposing ring-levelling springs attached to the base and to the ring at diametrically opposed points spaced 90.degree. from the pivot axis of the ring, a mount within the ring pivotally connected thereto with the pivot axis at right angles to that of the ring, and opposing springs connected to the base and to the support in vertical alignment with the pivot axis of the ring, a support secured to said mount axially of said ring, and a resilient ball holder secured to the free end of the support and extending laterally therefrom, said ball holder being saufficiently flexible to collapse under the impact of a racket without significant resistance or interference with the follow-through of a practise stroke while transmitting force to the support to cause it to swing out of the path of said practise stroke.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
170 words
A device for use with a tennis racket in improving tennis strokes, said device comprising a base, said base including a ring, a fixed holder pivotally supporting the ring at diametrically opposed points, opposing ring-levelling springs attached to the base and to the ring at diametrically opposed points spaced 90.degree. from the pivot axis of the ring, a mount within the ring pivotally connected thereto with the pivot axis at right angles to that of the ring, and opposing springs connected to the base and to the support in vertical alignment with the pivot axis of the ring, a support secured to said mount axially of said ring, and a resilient ball holder secured to the free end of the support and extending laterally therefrom, said ball holder being saufficiently flexible to collapse under the impact of a racket without significant resistance or interference with the follow-through of a practise stroke while transmitting force to the support to cause it to swing out of the path of said practise stroke.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
The device of claim 8 in which the base also includes a box and a cover through which the support extends and by which the support is sealed, the cover having sufficient fullness to enable said support to swing in any direction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US567455A
Cited
US2057894A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-04-07 | 1978-10-07 | 1979-04-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-04-07 | 1982-10-07 | 1983-04-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-04-07 | 1986-10-07 | 1987-04-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |