IES77875B2 - Practice device for the game of hurling - Google Patents

Abstract

A practice device (1) is disclosed which is suitable for practising a game where a moving ball is hit with a stick, bat or racket. The device (1) comprises a support post (3), one or more rotation joints (4) on the support post (3), and two or more arms (5) disposed substantially symmetrically about the or each rotation joint (4). A ball (7) is connected or tethered at the end of each arm (5).

Description

PRACTICE DEVICE FOR THE GAME OF HURLING The present invention relates to a practice device specifically devoted to the game of hurling and its derivative camogie.

Hurling is a ball and stick game played in many countries but especially in Ireland where it is the national sport. It is distinguished from other ball and stick games by a set of rules which gives rise to various specific features.

The rules permit and encourage both aerial and ground play. The stick, or hurley, may be raised at any level when striking the ball and is deliberately designed to suit both aerial and ground play. The ball is relatively inelastic and can be readily intercepted and retained with the stick. It is permitted to strike the ball from either side of the body of the player and it is also permitted to catch the ball and then toss and hit it with the stick. These features result in hurling being held to be the fastest field game in the world. Although shots are sometimes taken from a stationary position, the ball will usually come into play moving relatively fast and from almost any direction. It can come into play at any height and frequently requires the player to jump for additional height, or to hit the ball as it bounces upwards from the ground. The player may be stationary or moving when the ball is struck. The player is commonly required to hit the ball on in the same direction as it approaches the player and at other times is required to return the ball in the opposite direction.

Practice devices for ball and stick games are known in the prior art. One type of practice device comprises a ball - 2 S77875 tethered to a short arm which can rotate about a central post. This type of device is not suitable for practising the game of hurling for several reasons. It does not provide the variety of shots which are commonly encountered in hurling. It does not dissipate the energy transferred by the stick quickly enough to allow the ball to return in a controlled manner to the player within a short period of time. It will not prevent the possibility of the tether becoming entangled with the post or arm when a ball is struck out of the natural orbit of the tether.

The present invention provides a practice device suitable for practising the game of hurling or camogie, comprising a support post, a central rotation joint on the support post, two or more arms disposed substantially symmetrically about the central rotation joint and a ball connected or tethered at the end of each arm.

Advantageously, means are provided for varying the height of the post; optionally, the height of the post and central rotation joint can be varied by adding or removing intermediate post sections or by providing a telescopic post sleeve with locking means such as a captive pin and a series of holes or a split collar and tightening screw; optionally, means are provided for tilting the arms relative to the post, locking the arms in the tilted orientation, while allowing rotation of the arms about the rotating joint; and optionally, two central rotation joints are provided, one above the tilt joint and one below the tilt joint, and where either one of the central rotation joints can be locked to cause rotation to occur in the other central rotation joint, and where the tilt joint comprises two tilt members which pivot on a common axis and where one tilt member is joined to one of the central rotation joints and the other tilt member is joined to the other central rotation joint, and where the tilt members may be drawn together by means such as a threaded member, which is coaxial with the tilt members, to lock the position of the tilt angle, and where the central rotation joints are joints such as the socket and spigot type and are lockable by passing a pin through corresponding holes in the sockets and spigots; and optionally, the central rotation joint can be tilted in relation to the post by providing a pivoted tilt joint between the post and the central rotation joint and where the angle may be set and held by various means such as an angle setting pin engaging a tilt plate member with a series of holes arranged radially about the tilting joint centre or by providing several central rotation joints at a range of angles and then engaging the desired joint.

Advantageously, the arms are movable from an operating position to a folded position when the device is not in use; and optionally, each arm can be folded down when the device is not being used by means such as a hook plate member which comprises a slot and hook on one part and a pin plate member with an upper and a lower pin on the other part, the lower pin being captive within the slot and the upper pin being capable of being engaged or disengaged by the hook, such that when the hook is engaged, the action of the two pins holds the arm in the extended position and when the hook is disengaged, the arm may be rotated about the captive pin to a folded down position.

Advantageously, the end of each arm is provided with a rotatable arm end, or elbow, with a tether assembly at its distal end and where the elbow is restrained from leaving the arm end but is free to rotate about a joint within or external to the arm end; optionally, the elbow comprises a member such as a length of rigid round tube, with a bend, with one end fitted coaxially within the end of the arm which comprises a rigid round tube of greater diameter; optionally, the bend in the elbow is at an obtuse angle; optionally, the rest rotational position of the elbow is set by a biasing means such as a torsion spring with one end connected to the elbow and the other end connected to the arm and arranged coaxial with the elbow rotation joint; optionally, the biasing means includes a setting means which comprises means such as a split collar and tightening screw or means comprising two annular members coaxial with each other and with the elbow rotation joint, the annular members being provided with notches which prevent relative rotation between the members when engaged but allow relative movement when disengaged, one annular member being connected to an end of the torsion spring and the other annular member being connected to the arm or elbow; optionally, the tether is provided with an elastic property by being made from an elastic material such as rubber or by the use of a tension spring in series with a relatively inelastic line; optionally, the tether is arranged to be pretensioned when the device is at rest by restraining retraction of all or part of the elastic extension of the tether by a tubular member which is longer than its natural rest length and which is comprised of an elbow and a flexible tether sleeve; optionally, the apparatus includes a flexible tether sleeve through which the tether passes and where the sleeve comprises a length of flexible polymer tube; and optionally, the apparatus includes a stand which comprises a base and a plurality of tubular U-shaped legs and where the base may comprise pairs of spigots which engage the ends of the U-shaped legs and which may be retained in position by springing the U-shaped legs in or out to engage the spigots.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example. Reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which :Figure 1 shows a side view of the device with the arms set to rotate in a horizontal plane and the post height is set such that the balls are in an aerial position; Figure 2 shows a side view of the device, similar to Figure 1, but with the arms set tilted at a moderate angle and with the post height set such that the lowest ball position is just above the level of the ground; Figure 3 shows a side view of the device, similar to Figure 2, but with the arms set to rotate in a plane inclined at a steep angle and with the device comprises means, not shown in the figure, for biasing the rotational angle of the elbow on the arm away from the post; Figure 4 shows a sectional side view of the tilt joint with a central rotation joint above the tilt joint. The tilt joint is shown set for rotation with the arms in a horizontal plane; Figure 5 shows a sectional side view of the arm folding device and connected portions of the device where the arms are extended. The outline of the concealed pin plate member is shown as a dashed line; Figure 6 shows a sectional side view of the ball and tether assembly where the tether is retracted and the arm is at rest. The tether is shown as a dashed line; Figure 7 shows a side view of the ball and tether assembly where the tether is extended and the arm is in motion; and Figure 8 shows a sectional view of a tilt joint with central rotation joints above and below the tilt joint, the tilt joint being shown set for rotation of the lower rotation joint with the arms in a horizontal plane.

The following is an index of the reference numerals used in the drawings :1. Practice Device 2. Stand 3. Support post 4. Central rotation joint . Arm 6. Tether assembly 7. Ball 8. Central rotation joint socket 9. Central rotation joint spigot 10. Tilt joint 11 . Tilt joint pin 12. Tilt angle setting pin 13. Tilt plate member 14. Hook plate member 15. Slot 16. Hook 17. Pin plate member 18. Upper pin 19. Lower pin 20. Bush 21 . Elbow 22. Elbow bend 23. Elbow rotation joint 24. Retaining plug 25. Sleeve 26. Tether 27. Swivel joint 28. Tilt Joint 29. Upper rotation joint 30. Upper rotation joint socket 31 . Upper rotation joint spigot 32. Locking hole 33. Locking pin 34. Adjustable tilt member 35. Fixed tilt member 36. Tilt joint pin 37. Lever 38. Tilt member contact region 39. Support sleeve 40. Lower rotation joint 41 . Lower rotation joint socket 42. Lower rotation joint spigot 43. Locking hole The device and its operation will now be described with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

The device 1 comprises a central stationary support post 3, a central rotation joint 4 and a pair of arms 5 which can rotate about the support post 3 by means of the central joint 4. The post 3 is supported by a stand 2 or post hole. A ball 7 is connected to the end of each arm 5 by a tether assembly 6.

Two arms 5 are provided to assist balance of the centrifugal forces as rotation takes place and also to reduce the waiting time between potential strokes at any given position. They also assist balance of gravity forces when rotation takes place in an inclined plane. Alternatively, three or more arms 5 can be provided in which case they should be set symmetrically, or substantially symmetrically, about the central joint 4 to similarly assist balance of the centrifugal and gravity forces and to equalise the waiting time between potential strokes.

The arm 5 length should be greater than 600 mm in length to promote a realistic movement of the ball. An arm 5 length of around 1400 mm has been found particularly suitable where two arms 5 are provided.

The central rotation joint 4 comprises a simple socket 8 and spigot 9 arrangement. The spigot 8 is located below the socket 9 to prevent water or dirt entering or accumulating in the central rotation joint 4 (see Figure 5) .

The post 3 is arranged such that the height of the central rotation joint 4 can be varied. This variability is provided to allow high level and ground level modes of practice and also to allow the ball height to be adjusted to suit different heights of player for high level mode. The variability may be achieved by various means. In a simple low-cost variation it is achieved by providing an intermediate post 3 section to make up the difference between high and ground level modes. In a more sophisticated variation, it is achieved by providing a telescopic post 3 sleeve with locking means such as a captive pin and series of holes or a split collar and tightening screw. Alternatively, a range of heights may be achieved by providing a set of two or three different length post 3 sections which may be omitted or used individually or in combination.

The device is also arranged such that the arms 5 can be tilted in relation to the post 3. This provides several practice advantages. It allows instantaneous practice with the ball 7 at different levels and facilitates practice with rising and descending balls. It permits two players to practice where each requires a different height. It also allows extreme heights to be obtained to facilitate jump practice. It can additionally be used to partly provide the height variation facility.

As shown in Figure 8, the tilt facility is achieved by providing a pivoted tilt joint 28 with lockable rotation joints 29, 40 above and below. The tilt joint 28 comprises two disk shaped pivoted tilt members 34, 35 on a common axis, an adjustable tilt member 34 and a fixed tilt member 35 with a connecting contact region 38 comprising means such as interlocking projections such that, when 0 held together, relative rotation of the members 34, 35 is prevented. The fixed member 35 is provided with a boss with a threaded hole. The adjustable member 34 is provided with a boss with a plain hole. A tilt joint pin 36 with a shouldered lever 37 at one end passes through the holes in the members 34, 35. The pin 36 is plain where it passes through the plain hole and threaded where it passes through the threaded hole. The tilt joint 28 is arranged such that a half turn upwards of the lever 37 will cause the members 34, 35 to move from a locked position to one where relative rotation is possible. The members 34, 35 and pin 36 are also provided with a supporting sleeve 39.

The rotation joints 29, 40 are of the socket and spigot type. Corresponding holes 32 are provided in the sockets 30, 41 and spigots 31, 42 such that they can be locked with a locking pin 33. Normally, one rotation joint 29, is locked and the other is free, although both may be left free where relatively random movement is required. A single locking pin 33, which may be held captive on a short chain, is shared for use in one of the two joints 29, 40. The locking pin holes 32 on the upper rotation joint 29 are arranged such that, when locked, the arms 5 of the practice device 1 lie in the same vertical plane as the faces of the tilt disks 34, 35. The locking pin holes 43 of the lower rotation joint 40 may be aligned in any direction.

The upper rotation joint 29 is located above the tilt joint 28 with the spigot 31 joined to the adjustable tilt member 34 and with the socket 30 joined to the arm assembly of the practice device 1. The lower rotation joint 40 is located below the tilt joint 28 with the socket 41 joined to the fixed tilt member 35 and the spigot 42 joined to the support post 3 of the practice device 1. The joins of the members 34, 35 are slightly offset such that the two rotation joints 29, 40 are coaxial when the tilt joint 28 is set with the rotation joints 29, 40 diametrically opposite each other.

Rotation of the tilt joint 28 is limited by stops, not shown in the Figure, which are located on the adjustable tilt member 34, the stops bearing against the socket 41 of the lower rotation joint 40 or against a member fixed to the socket 41 of the lower rotation joint 40. The stops are arranged such that, at one extreme of the rotation of the tilt joint 28, the axis of the upper rotation joint 29 is at 180° to the axis of the lower rotation joint 40, and at the other extreme it is at 100° to it. These angles correspond to the arms 5 or the plane of rotation of the arms 5 being at 90° and 10° to the support post 3.

The upper and lower rotation joints 28, 40 give rise to different motions of the arms 5 and balls 7 when the arms are tilted. When the lower rotation joint 40 is used, the joint axis remains vertical and the tilted arms 5 will remain at a constant height, one being higher than the other, as the arms 5 rotate. When the upper rotation joint 29 is used, each arm 5 will have a similar orbit and the height of the arm 5 to the player will depend where the player stands in relation to the practice device 1 . Each practice mode is useful and most players will use each of them at different times.

Alternatively, a tilt joint with a rotation joint only above the tilt joint is shown in Figure 4. The tilt facility is achieved by providing a pivoted tilt joint 10 between the post 3 and the central rotation joint 4. The angle on the tilt joint 10 can be varied from 90°, when the arms 5 are horizontal, through a range of angles down to about 10° where the arms 5 rotate almost in a vertical plane. The tilt joint comprises a tilt joint pin 11 which connects the parts of the post 3 above and below the tilt joint and which allows relative rotation of the two parts. The pin is supported by two corresponding tilt plate members 13 of which only the rear tilt plate member 13 is shown in Figure 4. The tilt angle is set and held by a tilt angle setting pin 12 engaging one of several sets of holes in the tilt plate members 13 which are arranged radially about the axis of the tilt joint pin 11.

Alternatively, the tilt facility may be achieved by providing several central rotation joints 4 at a range of angles and then engaging the desired joint. For example, if the central rotation joint 4 is of the spigot 9 and socket 8 type then the spigot 9 may be attached at right angles to the underside of the arm 5 assembly and several sockets 8 at a range of angles, such as 90°, 75°, 45° and 10°, affixed to the top of the post 3. The arm 5 assembly and spigot 9 may be lifted and moved to the appropriate socket 8 when it is required to change the tilt angle.

With reference to Figure 5, the arms 5 are arranged so that they can be folded down when the device is not being used. In addition to providing a convenient size reduction when out of use, the folding facility also prevents loss or damage of loose parts and allows the possibility of pre-assembled distribution. The folding facility can be provided by various means such as providing each arm 5 with a hook plate member 14 which comprises a slot 15 and hook 16 and providing the adjacent portion of the central arm support with a pin plate member 20 provided with an upper pin 18 and a lower pin 19, the lower pin 19 being captive within the slot 15 and the upper pin 18 being capable of being engaged and disengaged by the hook 16. When the hook 16 is engaged, the action of the two pins 18, 19 holds the arm 5 in the extended position. When the hook 16 is disengaged, the arm 5 may be rotated about the captive lower pin 19 to a folded down position. The lower pin 19 is engaged in a slot 15 rather than a hole to provide sufficient freedom of movement to engage and disengage the hook 16.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, a hook plate member 16 is welded to each arm and two matching pin plate members 17 are joined to each side of the socket 8 of the central rotation joint 4. The upper and lower pins 18, 19 comprise screw and nut assemblies with bushes 20 between the two pin plate members 17. The bushes 20 are shaped with a central tapered circumferential groove, which decreases in width with the depth of the groove, so that the hook plate members 16 are securely held. The screw and nut assemblies allow the parts be assembled and disassembled and the bush 20 also serves to prevent distortion of the pin plate members 17 when the screw and nut assemblies are tightened. The bushes 20 used with the lower pins 19 are made in two parts to permit assembly about the slot 15.

In an alternative arrangement, the hook plate member 14 is fixed to the post 3 and the pin plate member 17 is fixed to the arm 5. In this instance, the opening on the hook 19 faces upwards instead of downwards as is appropriate for the former arrangement. In a further alternative arrangement, the device 1 is only provided with the folding facility on one of the arms 5 and the other arm 5 is folded by means of the tilt joint 10.

As shown in Figure 6, the end of each arm 5 is provided with a rotatable arm end, or elbow 21, with a bend 22 and a tether assembly 6 at its distal end. The elbow 21 is restrained from leaving the arm 5 end but is free to rotate within an elbow rotation joint 23 within the arm 5 end. In an alternative arrangement, the elbow rotation joint 23 is on the outside of the arm 5. The elbow 21 serves several purposes. It allows a proportion of the strike energy to be taken up in rotation about the joint 23. It also restrains or partly restrains outward movement of the tethered ball assembly due to centrifugal force, thereby advantageously reducing the likelihood of the stick hitting the tether 26. It also provides an additional degree of freedom when the ball 7 is hit and allows better simulation of real play where the ball 7 may be struck down or up.

The elbow 21 comprises a length of rigid round tube, with a bend 22 near its distal end and with its inner end fitted coaxially within the distal end of the arm 5, which comprises a rigid round tube of greater diameter. The inner end of the elbow 21 comprises a straight section of tube and is fitted within a tubular bush to form the elbow rotation joint 23. A retaining plug 24 fixed in the inner end of the elbow 21 has a retaining shoulder of diameter greater than the inner diameter of the tubular bush but less than its outer diameter. The plug serves to retain the elbow 21 in the bush and also serves as an anchor for the inner end of the tether 26. The tubular bush of the elbow rotation joint 23 is retained within the arm 5 by any suitable means such as bonding or mechanical staking.

Alternatively, the elbow 21 may be substituted by an elastic member such as a coil spring or conical rubber part which fits into the end of the arm 5 but is not capable of rotation. This arrangement loses some of the advantages of the elbow 21 but is simpler and can be provided at less expense.

The bend 22 in the elbow 21 is made at an obtuse angle.

By providing a bend angle greater than 90°, the effective radius of rotation of the elbow 21 is shortened but the length of the connected tether assembly 6 remains the same. The shorter radius has the potential advantage that the elbow 21 will return to rest more quickly. The obtuse angle also has the advantage that it prevents the tether assembly 6 facing inwards towards the post 3 in circumstances where the arm 5 is tilted and at the lower region of its orbit. A bend 22 angle of 135° has been found suitable with an arm 5 length of 1400 mm.

The tether 26 is provided with an elastic property. This helps to prevent shock damage to the tether 26 and other parts. It also helps to prevent shock being transmitted through the stick to the player. It additionally permits natural movement of the ball 7 when struck by allowing it to temporarily move away from the device 1, the main parts of which have relatively high inertia and rotate at relatively constant speed during play. The elastic property is provided by constructing the tether 26 from an elastic material such as stranded rubber covered in a braided protective sheath. The necessary length of elastic material is achieved by passing the tether 26 through the tubular elbow 21 and anchoring it at the plug 24 at its inner end. The elastic extension is appropriately limited to prevent the possibility of entanglement. Care should be taken to ensure that the tether 26 is not progressively wound as the elbow 21 rotates. To prevent such winding the inner end of the tether 26 is arranged such that it rotates with the elbow 21 and the distal end may be provided with a swivel joint 27.

Alternatively, the elastic property may be provided by using a tension spring in series with a relatively inelastic line. The tension spring may be located at the inner end of the tether 26 within the elbow 21.

The tether 26 is arranged to be pretensioned when the device 1 is at rest. This ensures a constant tether 26 length, other than for a very brief period when the ball 7 is struck. It also ensures more rapid return of the tether 26 to its rest position. The pretension is achieved by restraining retraction of all or part of the elastic extension of the tether 26 by a tubular member which is longer than its natural rest length and which is comprised of the elbow 21 and a flexible tether sleeve 25.

Each elbow 21 is fitted with a flexible tether sleeve 25 at its distal end and through which the tether 26 passes. The pretensioned tether 26 pulls the ball 7 up against the distal end of the sleeve 25 when it is at rest. The sleeve 25 serves several purposes. Its relative stiffness, compared to the tether 26, prevents entanglement of the tether 26 and assists in controlling the motion of the ball 7 and in promoting rotation of the elbow 21. It similarly prevents any tendency for the ball 7 and the tether 26 to become entangled with the stick if the ball 7 is not hit cleanly. It also provides a safe distance between the rigid elbow 21 and arm 5 for the player and the stick. As discussed earlier, it also restrains retraction of the tether 26 to provide the pretension facility. The sleeve 25 comprises a length of flexible polymer tube with one end fitted over the distal end of the elbow 21.

The shape and form of the elbow 21 and sleeve 25 are arranged without sharp corners or edges which might accidentally strike a player.

In the embodiment described above, the ball is connected by an eye to the end of the tether 26 and is held by the pretension force against the distal end of the sleeve 25. In an alternative arrangement, the tether 26 is supplied with a small stopper which is held by the pretension force against the distal end of the sleeve 25 and the ball 7 hangs from the stopper.

The embodiment of the device as described is suitable for ground level practice or aerial practice.

Aerial play can be arranged to be played in several different modes. In one mode as in Figure 1, the arms are set to revolve in a horizontal plane and the height of the post and rotation joint set such that the balls move at the desired height above the level of the ground. This will result in all practice strokes around the device being at the desired height. If the arms are tilted and the height of the post set at a relatively high position, as shown in Figure 2, and a tilt joint with lockable rotation joints above and below the tilt joint is provided, as shown in Figure 8, aerial play can be practised in two further modes. When the upper rotation joint is used, the arms will revolve in an inclined plane and the practice strokes will vary depending on the relative position of the player and the device, the balls rising on one side and descending on the other. When the lower rotation joint is used, each ball will rotate in a horizontal orbit, one at a high level and the other at a low level. High jump strokes can be accommodated in both tilted modes by maximising the tilt angle and the post height.

Ground level practice can similarly be arranged to be played in several different modes. In one mode, the arms are again set to revolve in a horizontal plane and the height of the post and rotation joint set such that the balls move just above the level of the ground. In this mode, all practice strokes around the device will be ground strokes. If the arms are tilted and the height of the post set such that the ball at its lowest point is just above the ground, as shown in Figure 2, and a tilt joint with lockable rotation joints above and below the tilt joint is provided, as shown in Figure 8, ground play can be practised in two further modes. When the upper rotation joint is used, the arms will revolve in an inclined plane and the practice strokes will vary depending on the relative position of the player and the device, the balls rising on one side and descending on the other. When the lower rotation joint is used, the lower arm will rotate in a horizontal plane with the ball just above ground level.

Dead ball practice can also be achieved with the apparatus by tilting the arms further, or by reducing the post height until one or both balls rest completely on the ground. By dead ball practice is meant where a player hits a stationary ball, as when hitting a sideline ball or a free shot.

It has been found that the arrangement shown in Figure 2 suffers some drawbacks when practising common strokes such as hitting a ball which has just bounced from the ground. One of these drawbacks is that the player may be inhibited by the proximity of the rigid elbow 21 and arm 5 which may be accidentally struck by the stick. Another drawback is that the path of the ball as it approaches and leaves the ground is at an inclined circular orbit which does not provide a realistic simulation of a bouncing ball which in reality would approach and bounce from level ground in a vertical plane. It is not possible to increase the tilt angle of the arrangement shown in Figure 2 because this would bring the rigid elbow and arm even closer to the player.

These drawbacks are overcome by providing the device with a biasing means for biasing the rest rotational angle of the elbow 21 on the arm 5 away from the post 3. Figure 3 shows such an arrangement with the arms 5 set to rotate in a plane inclined at a steep angle and with the device comprises means for biasing the rest rotational angle of the elbow 21, although the means are not shown in the figure.

In a preferred embodiment, the rest rotational position of the elbow 21 is set by a torsion spring with one end connected to the elbow 21 and the other end connected to the arm 5 and arranged coaxial with the elbow rotation joint 23. The coils of the torsion spring are external to the arms 5 and the connections of the arms are made to collars, one of which is fixed to the elbow 21 and the other to the arm 5, the collars being spaced apart the length of the torsion spring. When a ball 7 is struck, the elbow 21 will briefly rotate from the rest position and wind or unwind the torsion spring. When rotation stops, the spring will rewind the elbow 21 back to the original rest position.

It will be appreciated from the figures that the rest position shown in Figure 3 is different to that shown in Figures 1 and 2. Different rest positions are achieved by providing one of the collars of the biasing means with a setting means. In a preferred embodiment the setting means comprises two annular members, coaxial with each other and with the elbow rotation joint 23, and the two annular members are urged together with a spring. The annular members are provided with notches such that when together the notches engage and prevent relative rotation between them, but when apart the notches disengage and relative movement is possible. One annular member is connected to one end of the torsion spring and the other annular member is connected to the arm 5 or elbow 21. To set the rest position, the player moves one of the annular members to disengage the notches, rotates the elbow 21 to the desired position and then releases the annular member to re-engage the notches. Alternatively, the setting means may be provided by means such as an arrangement comprising a split collar and tightening screw replacing the arrangement of the annular members with notches.

The biasing and setting means may also be occasionally used to provide an inclined elbow angle which facilitates practice strokes where the ball is hit upwards.

The practice device may be supported by a stand which comprises a base with a plurality of simple U-shaped tubular legs which clip to the base. Four legs have been found suitable. The bends in the U-shapes are disposed outwards from the base and make contact with the ground. The U-shaped tubular legs may clip to the base by means of pairs of spigots on the base which enter the open ends of the tubular legs and may be retained in position by arranging the shapes such that the U-shape is sprung inwards or outwards when engaged on the spigots. The stand has the advantages that is is economical to manufacture and the legs may be readily removed and fitted for storage or transportation.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein, which are given by way of example only, and that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A practice device suitable for practising the game of hurling or camogie, comprising a support post, a central rotation joint on the support post, two or more arms disposed substantially symmetrically about the central rotation joint and a ball connected or tethered at the end of each arm.

2. A practice device according to Claim 1, in which means are provided for varying the height of the post; optionally in which the height of the post and central rotation joint can be varied by adding or removing intermediate post sections or by providing a telescopic post sleeve with locking means such as a captive pin and a series of holes or a split collar and tightening screw; optionally, in which means are provided for tilting the arms relative to the post, locking the arms in the tilted orientation, while allowing rotation of the arms about the rotating joint; and optionally, in which two central rotation joints are provided, one above the tilt joint and one below the tilt joint, and where either one of the central rotation joints can be locked to cause rotation to occur in the other central rotation joint, and where the tilt joint comprises two tilt members which pivot on a common axis and where one tilt member is joined to one of the central rotation joints and the other tilt member is joined to the other central rotation joint, and where the tilt members may be drawn together by means such as a threaded member, which is coaxial with the tilt members, to lock the position of the tilt angle, and where the central rotation joints are joints such as the socket and spigot type and are lockable by passing a pin through corresponding holes in the sockets and spigots; and optionally in which the central rotation joint can be tilted in relation to the post by providing a pivoted tilt joint between the post and the central rotation joint and where the angle may be set and held by various means such as an angle setting pin engaging a tilt plate member with a series of holes arranged radially about the tilting joint centre or by providing several central rotation joints at a range of angles and then engaging the desired joint.

3. A practice device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the arms are movable from an operating position to a folded position when the device is not in use; and optionally in which each arm can be folded down when the device is not being used by means such as a hook plate member which comprises a slot and hook on one part and a pin plate member with an upper and a lower pin on the other part, the lower pin being captive within the slot and the upper pin being capable of being engaged or disengaged by the hook, such that when the hook is engaged, the action of the two pins holds the arm in the extended position and when the hook is disengaged, the arm may be rotated about the captive pin to a folded down position.

4. A practice device according to any preceding claim, in which the end of each arm is provided with a rotatable arm end, or elbow, with a tether assembly at its distal end and where the elbow is restrained from leaving the arm end but is free to rotate about a joint within or external to the arm end; optionally in which the elbow comprises a member such as a length of rigid round tube, with a bend, with one end fitted coaxially within the end of the arm which comprises a rigid round tube of greater diameter; optionally in which the bend in the elbow is at an obtuse angle; optionally in which the rest rotational position of the elbow is set by a biasing means such as a torsion spring with one end connected to the elbow and the other end connected to the arm and arranged coaxial with the elbow rotation joint; optionally in which the biasing means includes a setting means which comprises means such as a split collar and tightening screw or means comprising two annular members coaxial with each other and with the elbow rotation joint, the annular members being provided, with notches which prevent relative rotation between the members when engaged but allow relative movement when disengaged, one annular member being connected to an end of the torsion spring and the other annular member being connected to the arm or elbow; optionally in which the tether is provided with an elastic property by being made from an elastic material such as rubber or by the use of a tension spring in series with a relatively inelastic line; optionally in which the tether is arranged to be pretensioned when the device is at rest by restraining retraction of all or part of the elastic extension of the tether by a tubular member which is longer than its natural rest length and which is comprised of an elbow and a flexible tether sleeve; optionally which includes a flexible tether sleeve through which the tether passes and where the sleeve comprises a length of flexible polymer tube; and 10 optionally which includes a stand which comprises a base and a plurality of tubular U-shaped legs and where the base may comprise pairs of spigots which engage the ends of the U-shaped legs and which may be retained in position by springing the U-shaped legs in or out to 15 engage the spigots.

5. A practice device substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.