DEVICE FOR PERFORMING JUGGLING EXERCISES WITH A FOOTBALL

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for carrying out juggling exercises with a football, comprising a ball-holding device, a rod, a joint, a holding element and a base for receiving the holding element, as defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A device of this type is known from US 7 811 183 B1.

[0003] EP 2 758 138 B1 discloses an adjustable gravity training device intended to enable a person to improve their motor skills relating to playing, passing, or kicking a ball. For this purpose, the device comprises a stationary base, a support device for carrying a ball, and a flexible connector for connecting the support device to the base. However, the design of the flexible connector described therein results in a fairly rigid coupling of the ball to the base, so that only slight movement of the ball is to be expected, and it cannot move as freely as a ball that is not coupled to such a device. Although the flexible connector allows a certain amount of movement of the support device, it is designed to ensure that the support device, with the ball attached to it, returns to its starting point.

[0004] With regard to the further prior art for such training devices, reference is also made to GB 2 447 732 B, US 4,561,661 A, GB 2 423 722 B, DE 32 32 323 A1, EP 2 451 543 B1, EP 2 758 138 B1, US 6 475 108 B1, US 5 605 326 A and US 9 011 277 B2.

[0005] Juggling or holding a soccer ball up in the air is a very good and popular exercise, especially among younger female soccer players, for improving soccer handling and general coordination. However, it is an exercise that can be quite difficult, especially at the beginning of soccer training. For inexperienced players in particular, the ball can bounce quite far away from the player, requiring them to retrieve it first to continue training. This wastes unnecessary time that is not available for training.

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for carrying out juggling exercises with a football, which on the one hand prevents the ball from bouncing away, but on the other hand allows the ball to move as freely and naturally as possible.

[0007] According to the invention, this object is achieved by the features mentioned in claim 1.

[0008] The device according to the invention comprises a ball-holding device to which the soccer ball can be attached, a rod with the ball-holding device attached to one end, a joint designed as a ball joint to which the rod is attached in such a way that it can be rotated continuously through 360° and tilted at least in one plane, a holding element for holding the joint, and a base for receiving the holding element. The holding element is height-adjustable relative to the base.

[0009] The ball-holding device ensures that the soccer ball is securely held, allowing it to be kicked or played with greater force without coming loose from the ball-holding device. The ball-holding device is attached to one end of the pole, allowing the ball-holding device and the attached soccer ball to be moved with a relatively large range, depending on the length of the pole, allowing realistic juggling exercises.

[0010] This is made possible in particular by the ball-and-socket joint, as this joint allows the rod to be rotated continuously through 360° and tilted at least in one plane. It is precisely this property of the joint that ensures a very realistic simulation of the feeling of free juggling with a soccer ball, as the soccer ball moves almost as freely and naturally as without the use of such a device, whereas the ball is held in the ball holder device to prevent it from bouncing away. In contrast to known solutions, this design prevents the ball from automatically returning to its starting point, making the use of the device according to the invention even more realistic. This saves a lot of time compared to conventional juggling training, which ultimately benefits training time and thus ultimately improves training performance.The endless rotation of the rod makes it possible, for example, to always play the ball slightly forward and then run after it in a circular motion, simulating juggling with a running motion. Of course, a backward movement would also be possible.

[0011] The holding element used to hold the joint and the base on which the holding element is mounted ensure that the entire device is stable, so that even when higher forces act on it, the football always moves in the desired manner.

[0012] The height adjustability of the holding element relative to the base allows the device according to the invention to be used by people of various heights, so that both adults and children can use the device equally. It is also possible for a kneeling person to use the device, or alternatively, to play football with their knees.

[0013] According to the invention, the joint is designed as a ball joint and has a ball stud and a ball socket that accommodates the ball stud. Such a design of the joint is particularly advantageous with regard to the rotatability and tiltability of the rod.

[0014] In a very advantageous development of the invention, a counterweight can be attached to the end of the rod opposite the ball-holding device, wherein the lowering speed of the rod and the ball-holding device can be influenced by shifting the position of the counterweight relative to the rod. Such a counterweight enables optimal balancing of the soccer ball, making juggling exercises even more realistic. Furthermore, by influencing the lowering speed or return speed of the rod and the ball-holding device, the return of the soccer ball held in the ball-holding device can be slowed. This can also enable beginners to conduct training tailored to their needs and develop their motor skills.

[0015] A very simple connection of the counterweight to the rod is achieved if the counterweight can be screwed to the rod.

[0016] To prevent the counterweight from rotating relative to the rod, the rod may further include at least one groove extending longitudinally therein, in which the counterweight is guided. This ensures a smooth movement of the ball-holding device.

[0017] Another very advantageous embodiment of the invention can consist of a multi-part rod. The different components of the rod can be made of different materials to perform different functions. Furthermore, this multi-part design allows the rod to be very easily disassembled and thus easier to transport.

[0018] In particular, the rod may be provided with a central section connected to the joint and two outer sections connected to the central section. Such a division of the rod has proven very advantageous with regard to assuming different functions.

[0019] In order to achieve a secure connection of the individual components of the rod, it can also be provided that the outer parts can be fixed to the middle part.

[0020] Furthermore, the retaining element can be fixed to the base. This allows a stable connection between the retaining element and the base to be established.

[0021] In this context, an advantageous embodiment may consist in that the ball stud is connected to the holding element and that the ball socket is connected to the rod.

[0022] Alternatively, the ball stud can be connected to the rod, and the ball socket can be connected to the retaining element. This allows for easier manufacturing of the ball joint and the associated components of the device.

[0023] Furthermore, in a very advantageous development of the invention, the ball-holding device can have a recess open around its periphery, which divides the ball-holding device into two sections, wherein the sections of the ball-holding device can be connected to one another by means of a connecting device. This not only enables a very secure holding of the football in the ball-holding device, but also allows for easy attachment of the football in the ball-holding device.

[0024] In the following, embodiments of the invention are shown in principle with reference to the drawing.

[0025] It shows: Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of the device according to the invention. Fig. 2 shows a front view according to the arrow II of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 3 a detailed view from Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the device not belonging to the invention; Fig. 5 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention; Fig. 6 shows a further view of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention; Fig. 7 shows a further view of the first embodiment of the device according to the invention; Fig. 8 shows an enlarged view along the line VIII of Fig. 7 ; and Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0026] Fig. 1 shows a device 1 according to the invention for carrying out juggling exercises with a football 2. The football 2 can be attached to a ball holding device 3 or, in the case of the representation of Fig. 1received therein. The ball holding device 3 is in turn attached to a rod 4, which in turn is attached to a joint 5 designed as a ball joint in such a way that the rod 4 can be rotated endlessly by 360° and tilted at least in one plane. The device 1 further comprises a holding element 6 for holding the joint 5 and a base 7 for receiving the holding element 6. The base 7 has a vertical tube section 7a into which the holding element 6, which is preferably also designed as a tube, is inserted. The vertical tube section 7a can be made of a plastic material and the holding element 6 can be made of an aluminum material. The base 7 can be filled with water or another suitable medium in order to improve the stability of the entire device 1.

[0027] A counterweight 8 can be attached, or in the present case is attached, to the end of the rod 4 opposite the ball-holding device 3, which counterweight is preferably screwed, or can be screwed, to the rod 4. By changing the size and / or arrangement of the counterweight 8 relative to the rod 4, and in particular to its pivot point at the joint 5, the juggling exercise performed by the device 1 can be influenced by influencing the speed at which the soccer ball 2 rises and falls. The counterweight 8 can be hollow and fillable with water or another suitable medium, or it can be made of a solid material, e.g., metal, rubber, or the like.

[0028] In this case, the rod 4 is constructed in several parts and has a central part 4a connected to the joint 5 and two outer parts 4b and 4c connected to the central part 4a. One of the outer parts, in this case the outer part 4b, is connected to the ball-holding device 3, and another outer part, in this case the outer part 4c, is connected to the counterweight 8. The central part 4a can be made of a plastic material, whereas the outer parts 4b and 4c can be made of an aluminum material. Both the central part 4a and the outer parts 4b and 4c can be designed as tubes.

[0029] The outer parts 4b and 4c are, as described in more detail below, movable relative to the central part 4a, allowing the overall length of the pole 4 to be changed. Furthermore, the weight distribution between the soccer ball 2 and the counterweight 8 can be changed in this way, thereby altering the reaction to playing the soccer ball 2 and influencing the exercise accordingly. The outer parts 4b and 4c can be fixed to the central part 4a, allowing the desired length of the pole 4 to be permanently adjusted. In this case, the outer parts 4b and 4c are fixed to the central part 4a using respective caps 9, with which the outer parts 4b and 4c can be screwed tightly to the central part 4a or loosened as needed to move the outer parts 4b and 4c relative to the central part 4a. This represents a quick and simple, and therefore user-friendly, solution.

[0030] The holding element 6 is adjustable in height relative to the base 7 and can be fixed to the base 7. The fixing is carried out, similar to the connection of the outer parts 4b and 4c with the middle part 4a, via a closure cap 10, which is inserted into the Figures 1 and 4 is shown very schematically and also offers a quick and easy connection or displacement option of the holding element 6 with the base 7. The holding element 6 is preferably longer than the tube section 7a, so that there is sufficient stability to hold the joint 5 and the rod 4 connected to it even when the holding element 6 is fully extended from the tube section 7a of the base 7 in order to bring the joint 5 and the rod 4 into their highest position.

[0031] The ball holding device 3 is connected to the rod 4 by means of a similar closure cap 11.

[0032] As shown in the illustration by Fig. 2As can be seen, the ball holding device 3 has a recess 3a which is open towards the circumference of the same and which divides the ball holding device 3 into two sections 3b and 3c. The sections 3b and 3c of the ball holding device 3 can be connected to one another by means of a connecting device 3d. The recess 3a of the ball holding device 3 is slightly smaller than the soccer ball 2, so that the latter is pressed into the recess 3a with a certain force. Furthermore, the ball holding device 3 is slightly larger than half of the soccer ball 3, which also contributes to a better hold of the latter in the ball holding device 3. The soccer ball 2 is located in the lower area of ​​the ball holding device 3, so that a person using the device 1 does not kick the ball holding device 3 but rather the soccer ball 2 during their juggling exercises, thus avoiding the risk of injury.Furthermore, there is a free space between sections 3b and 3c in which the football 2 lies on the surface, so that there is no risk of injury here either, since the shin of the person using the device 1 does not come into contact with the ball holding device 3.

[0033] The connecting device 3d can, for example, be designed as a rubber band which is attached to the two sections 3b and 3c and can reduce the distance between them in order to hold the football 2 securely in the recess 3a.

[0034] In Fig. 3It can be seen that in this embodiment of the device 1 according to the invention, the joint 5 is designed as a ball joint or angle joint and has a ball stud 5a and a ball socket 5b receiving the ball stud 5a. The connection between the ball stud 5a and the ball socket 5b can be made by snapping the ball stud 5a into the ball socket 5b, whereby the ball stud 5a is pressed with some force into the ball socket 5b, which is slightly deformed in the process.

[0035] In the present case, the ball stud 5a is made of a metallic material, preferably steel. The ball socket 5b is made of a suitable plastic, which can be deformed accordingly by the pressure of the ball stud 5a. It can be provided that the ball socket 5a, preferably together with the central part 4a of the rod 4, is manufactured using an injection molding process.

[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the ball stud 5a is connected to the retaining element 6, and the ball socket 5b is connected to the rod 4. This allows for even greater mobility of the rod 4. In this case, the ball stud 5a is connected to the retaining element 6 via a threaded plug located within the retaining element 6 (not shown), into which the ball stud 5a is screwed. However, it would also be possible to connect the ball stud 5a to the rod 4 and the ball socket 5b to the retaining element 6.

[0037] In the Fig. 4 In the embodiment shown, which is not part of the invention, the joint 5 is designed as a fork joint, whereby compared to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1In the embodiment shown, there is a somewhat lower flexibility of the joint 5 and thus a somewhat reduced mobility of the rod 4 and the soccer ball 2 attached to it via the ball holding device 3. The fork joint can be rotatably arranged on the holding element 6 by means of a ball bearing and have a fork-shaped receptacle for the central part 4a of the rod 4.

[0038] This reduction in flexibility, which is due to the design of the fork joint, can also be seen in the Figures 1 and 3 shown ball joint, for example by fixing the ball joint or restricting its mobility by means of a rubber band, a U-shaped holding part made of plastic, for example, by means of which the middle part 4a of the rod 4 is connected to the holding element 6, or a similar component.

[0039] The Figures 5, 6 , 7 and 8show various further representations of the first embodiment of the device 1.

[0040] In Fig. 5the first embodiment of the device 1 is shown in a perspective view. It can be seen that the tube section 7a has several, in the present case four, slots 12 which run in the longitudinal direction of the tube section 7a. Furthermore, the tube section 7a has an external thread (not shown) onto which the closure cap 10 is screwed. In the present case, the closure cap 10 has a conical internal thread, whereby when the closure cap 10 is screwed to the tube section 7a, the slots 12 are pressed together and narrow, so that a better hold for the holding element 6 in the tube section 7a and thus on the base 7 is provided. In a similar way, i.e. by means of corresponding slots and a conical internal thread of the closure caps 9 and 11, the individual components of the rod 4 can also be connected to one another and to the ball holding device 3.

[0041] Fig. 6shows the possible angle of movement of the rod 4 with the ball holding device 3 attached thereto, in which the rod 4 is shown in a lower and an upper position.

[0042] In Fig. 7 the device 1 is shown in another side view.

[0043] Fig. 8 shows an enlarged view of joint 5, which in this embodiment is designed as a ball joint or angle joint. One of two slots 13 of the ball socket 5b can be seen. The slots 13 expand when the ball stud 5a is engaged in the ball socket 5b as described above. In this case, a ring (not shown) is located within the ball socket 5b, which prevents the ball stud 5a from becoming detached from the ball socket.

[0044] Fig. 9shows another embodiment of the device 1 for performing juggling exercises with the soccer ball 2. The essential components are identical or very similar to the embodiment described above. Only the differences from the embodiment described above will be discussed below.

[0045] As indicated above, the ball stud 5a is connected to the rod 4 and the ball socket 5b is connected to the holding element 6, i.e. the arrangement of the ball stud 5a and the ball socket 5b is reversed to the embodiments described above. In this way, the rod 4 can be designed in a two-part instead of a three-part form and a work step can be saved, which simplifies the manufacture of the device 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment both the ball stud 5a and the ball socket 5b can be easily replaced in the event of any damage. The connection of the ball stud 5a to the rod 4 and the connection of the ball socket 5b to the holding element 6 is achieved by screwing, whereby suitable threaded plugs can be used for this purpose.

[0046] As in the embodiments described above, the counterweight 8 is arranged at the end of the rod 4 opposite the ball holding device 3, but below the rod 4. Due to this placement of the counterweight 8, the entire rod 4 is repeatedly centered during use and its vertical inclination is thereby dampened, which enables more controlled ball guidance. This also ensures that the football held in the ball holding device can not only move vertically up and down or horizontally around its own axis, but can also tilt to the right and left, so that the counterweight is able to return the ball holding device to its original position with regard to its vertical position after each use. However, this does not affect the endless rotation of the ball holding device.

[0047] In a version of the device 1 that is more suitable for advanced users, the counterweight 8 can also be attached to the rear end of the rod 8. In particular, in such a version for advanced users, the use of the rubber bands described above for fixing the ball joint can be omitted.

[0048] A plastic holder 4d is arranged on the outer part 4c of the rod 4, which has a thread (not shown) in the lower area for attaching the counterweight 8. The plastic holder 4d is connected to the outer part 4c of the rod 4 by means of a further closure cap 14. This ensures that the counterweight 8 can be screwed to the rod 4.

[0049] The rod 4 further has at least one groove 4e extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, in which the counterweight 8 is guided. This prevents a relative rotation of the counterweight 8 to the rod 4 and ensures that the counterweight 8 always remains below the rod 4.

[0050] As an alternative to the above-described filling of the base 7 with water, it can also be made of solid material.

Claims

1. Apparatus (1) for performing juggling exercises using a football (2), comprising a ball holding device (3) to which the football (2) can be attached, a rod (4) to one end of which the ball holding device (3) is attached, a joint (5) to which the rod (4) is attached, a holding element (6) for holding the joint (5), and a stand (7) for receiving the holding element (6), the rod (4) being attached to the joint (5) in such a way that the rod (4) can be rotated endlessly through 360° and tilted in at least one plane, characterised in that the joint (5) is designed as a ball joint and has a ball stud (5a) and a ball socket (5b) receiving the ball stud (5a), and that the holding element (6) is adjustable in height relative to the stand (7).

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that a counterweight (8) can be attached to the end of the rod (4) opposite the ball holding device (3), wherein the rate of descent of the rod (4) and of the ball holding device (3) can be influenced by changing the position of the counterweight (8) relative to the rod (4).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that the counterweight (8) can be screwed to the rod (4).

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, characterised in that the rod (4) has at least one groove (4e) running in the longitudinal direction thereof, in which the counterweight (8) is guided.

5. Apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the rod (4) is made up of several parts.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterised in that the rod (4) has a centre part (4a) connected to the joint (5) and two outer parts (4b, 4c) connected to the centre part (4a).

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterised in that the outer parts (4b, 4c) are displaceable relative to the centre part (4a).

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, characterised in that the outer parts (4b, 4c) can be fixed to the centre part (4a).

9. Apparatus according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the holding element (6) can be fixed to the stand (7).

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the ball stud (5a) is connected to the holding element (6), and that the ball socket (5b) is connected to the rod (4).

11. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterised in that the ball stud (5a) is connected to the rod (4), and that the ball socket (5b) is connected to the holding element (6).

12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the ball holding device (3) has a recess (3a) which is open towards the circumference of the ball holding device (3) and which divides the ball holding device (3) into two sections (3b, 3c), wherein the sections (3b, 3c) of the ball holding device (3) can be connected to one another by means of a connecting device (3d).