US3893669A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tethered ball tennis instruction device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-04-02
•
Granted: 1975-07-08
•
Expires: 1993-04-02
Abstract
Abstract A standard having an outstanding arm and a flexible suspension element along the arm and depending from the projecting end of the latter for releasably holding a ball in position to be hit by a racket. The end of the suspension element remote from the end attached to the ball is provided with a loop. A retaining finger is attached to the standard for releasably retaining the loop of the suspension member whereby when the ball is hit the retaining finger will yield to release the loop for allowing the ball retaining end of the suspension element to be lowered.
Inventors
- 👤 Gilford Myers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 06:14
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/0073; A63B69/0079; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
A tennis instruction device comprising a standard, an arm projecting laterally from said standard, a filamentary suspension member extending along said arm having one end depending freely from the projecting end of said arm and having its other end depending along said standard, a fabric having split pile loops on said one suspension member end for releasable holding engagement with a standard tennis ball, and an elongated suspension member retaining finger attached at one end to said standard and having its free end movable for retaining cooperation with said other suspension member end and selectively releasing the latter to drop said one suspension member end for ball replacement thereon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
A tennis instruction device comprising a standard, an arm projecting laterally from said standard, a filamentary suspension member extending along said arm having one end depending freely from the projecting end of said arm and having its other end depending along said standard, a fabric having split pile loops on said one suspension member end for releasable holding engagement with a standard tennis ball, and an elongated suspension member retaining finger attached at one end to said standard and having its free end movable for retaining cooperation with said other suspension member end and selectively releasing the latter to drop said one suspension member end for ball replacement thereon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
A tennis Instruction device according to claim 1, in combination with adjustable mounting means for adjustably positioning said arm vertically and horizontally relative to said standard.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A tennis instruction device according to claim 1, said arm comprising a tubular member slidably receiving said supsension member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
161 words
A tennis instruction device comprising a standard, an arm projecting laterally from said standard, a filamentary suspension member extending along said arm having one end depending freely from the projecting end of said arm and having its other end depending along said standard, a fabric having split pile loops on said one supension member end for releasable holding engagement with a standard tennis ball, and suspension member retaining means on said standard for retaining cooperation with said other suspension member end, said suspension member being longitudinally freely movable along said arm and gravitationally urged toward said one suspension member end in the direction against the retaining action of said retaining means, said retaining means comprising forcibly releasable interfitting components mounted on said stand and suspension member remote from said one end of the latter to suspend a ball in hitting position and release said retaining means for gravitational movement of said one suspension member end upon racket impact with the ball.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
161 words
A tennis instruction device comprising a standard, an arm projecting laterally from said standard, a filamentary suspension member extending along said arm having one end depending freely from the projecting end of said arm and having its other end depending along said standard, a fabric having split pile loops on said one supension member end for releasable holding engagement with a standard tennis ball, and suspension member retaining means on said standard for retaining cooperation with said other suspension member end, said suspension member being longitudinally freely movable along said arm and gravitationally urged toward said one suspension member end in the direction against the retaining action of said retaining means, said retaining means comprising forcibly releasable interfitting components mounted on said stand and suspension member remote from said one end of the latter to suspend a ball in hitting position and release said retaining means for gravitational movement of said one suspension member end upon racket impact with the ball.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
48 words
A tennis instruction device according to claim 4, said components comprising a pin projecting from said standard, and an eye on said suspension member circumposed about said pin for resilient deflection of one of said pin and eye upon hitting of the ball and separation of said components.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
141 words
A game instruction device comprising a standard, an arm projecting laterally from said standard, a filmentary suspension member extending along said arm having one end depending freely from the projecting end of said arm and having its other end depending along said standard, releasable ball-holding means on said one suspension member end for releasing a ball upon racket impact with said ball, said suspension member being longitudinally freely movable and gravitationally urged toward said one suspension member end, and releasable suspension member retaining means for retaining said suspension member against gravity, said retaining means comprising forcibly releasable interfitting components mounted on said stand and suspension member remote from said one end of the latter to suspend said ball in hitting position and release said retaining means for gravitational movement of said one suspension member end upon racket impact with said ball.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
141 words
A game instruction device comprising a standard, an arm projecting laterally from said standard, a filmentary suspension member extending along said arm having one end depending freely from the projecting end of said arm and having its other end depending along said standard, releasable ball-holding means on said one suspension member end for releasing a ball upon racket impact with said ball, said suspension member being longitudinally freely movable and gravitationally urged toward said one suspension member end, and releasable suspension member retaining means for retaining said suspension member against gravity, said retaining means comprising forcibly releasable interfitting components mounted on said stand and suspension member remote from said one end of the latter to suspend said ball in hitting position and release said retaining means for gravitational movement of said one suspension member end upon racket impact with said ball.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
A device according to claim 6, said forcibly releasable interfitting components comprising a pin projecting from said standard, and an eye on said suspension member circumposed about said pin for resilient deflection of one of said pin and eye upon hitting of the ball and separation of said components.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-07-07 | 1979-01-06 | 1979-07-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-07-07 | 1983-01-06 | 1983-07-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-07-07 | 1987-01-06 | 1987-07-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |