Patent US2430870A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4116437A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4116437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Tennis training and rating apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1973-02-08
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Granted: 1978-09-26
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Expires: 1993-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A tennis training and rating apparatus comprises one or more ball delivery devices for delivering tennis balls past a net into a playing area so that a player may return the balls back over the net against a target assembly. The target assembly is composed of a series of target sections each of which is actuated when struck by a tennis ball to provide a corresponding output signal representing accuracy of placement of the return shot and the output signals are fed to a target area recorder which records the signals. A speed sensing system senses the speed of each tennis ball as it is returned over the net against the target assembly and provides an appropriate speed signal which is delivered to a speed recorder which records the speed signals. A computer device receives the signals from both the target area recorder and the speed recorder and computes the player's score based upon accuracy of placement and speed of the return shots.
Inventors
- 👤 Neil E. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 10:47
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/0097; A63B61/00; A63B61/003; A63B61/006; A63B63/00; A63B24/00; A63B24/0021; A63B2024/0037; A63B2024/004; A63B2220/00; A63B2220/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
A tennis training and rating apparatus comprising: a playing area having opposite ends; ball-delivering means for individually delivering tennis balls into said playing area so that they may be returned by a player during use of the apparatus; a tennis net disposed on said playing area transversely thereof; and ball-accuracy sensing means for sensing the accuracy of placement of the tennis balls returned by the player against a predetermined target area positioned in a plane corresponding to the plane of said tennis net, and providing an output accuracy signal having a value dependent upon which portion of the target area the ball strikes, said target area comprising a plurality of individual target sections each having a ball-striking surface on which the returned balls initially strike on the fly and before bouncing when hitting said target area and each mounted for actuation independently of the others, means mounting said plurality of target sections in vertically superposed relationship one above the other with their corresponding ball-striking surfaces lying in vertical superposition and substantially aligned in the plane of said tennis net, and means for providing a different output accuracy signal in response to actuation of each target section including means for providing a signal having a different value in response to actuation of each target section.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
A tennis training and rating apparatus comprising: a playing area having opposite ends; ball-delivering means for individually delivering tennis balls into said playing area so that they may be returned by a player during use of the apparatus; a tennis net disposed on said playing area transversely thereof; and ball-accuracy sensing means for sensing the accuracy of placement of the tennis balls returned by the player against a predetermined target area positioned in a plane corresponding to the plane of said tennis net, and providing an output accuracy signal having a value dependent upon which portion of the target area the ball strikes, said target area comprising a plurality of individual target sections each having a ball-striking surface on which the returned balls initially strike on the fly and before bouncing when hitting said target area and each mounted for actuation independently of the others, means mounting said plurality of target sections in vertically superposed relationship one above the other with their corresponding ball-striking surfaces lying in vertical superposition and substantially aligned in the plane of said tennis net, and means for providing a different output accuracy signal in response to actuation of each target section including means for providing a signal having a different value in response to actuation of each target section.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The tennis training apparatus according to claim 1; including a mat positionable on the ground to define a bounce area for receiving thereon the tennis balls delivered from said ball delivering means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-09-25 | 1982-03-27 | 1982-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-09-25 | 1986-03-27 | 1986-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-09-25 | 1990-03-27 | 1990-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |