Training apparatus

Abstract

A mannequin base for use as a training apparatus with a ball, the mannequin base including a (first) rebound panel comprising an external face operable to contact with and rebound the ball, and an attachment portion operable to form an attachment with a mannequin body. The mannequin base is operable to be arranged so that the external face of the (first) rebound panel is in a substantially vertical position operable to receive and rebound the ball along a substantially horizontal plane and wherein the attachment portion is operable to hold the mannequin body in a substantially vertical position. Also described is a mannequin body and a kits of parts including the mannequin base and mannequin body.

1 . A mannequin base for use as a training apparatus with a ball, the mannequin base comprising:
 a. a (first) rebound panel comprising an external face operable to contact with and rebound the ball, and   b. an attachment portion operable to form an attachment with a mannequin body,   wherein the mannequin base is operable to be arranged so that the external face of the (first) rebound panel is in a substantially vertical position operable to receive and rebound the ball along a substantially horizontal plane and wherein the attachment portion is operable to hold the mannequin body in a substantially vertical position.   
     
     
         2 . The mannequin base according to  claim 1 , wherein the mannequin base is operable to be arranged so that an external face of a rebound panel is in a substantially vertical position, operable to receive and rebound the ball along a substantially horizontal plane, and further be operable to be arranged so that an external face of a rebound panel is in a vertically off-set position, operable to receive the ball along a substantially horizontal plane and rebound the ball along a horizontally off-set plane. 
     
     
         3 . The mannequin base according to  claim 1 , wherein the mannequin base is operable to be arranged in a first position wherein the external face of the (first) rebound panel is in a substantially vertical position operable to receive and rebound a ball along a substantially horizontal plane and the attachment portion is operable to hold the mannequin body in a substantially vertical position, and the mannequin base may also be operable to be arranged in a second position wherein the external face of the (first) rebound panel is in a vertically off-set position, operable to receive a ball along a substantially horizontal plane and rebound the ball along a horizontally off-set plane. 
     
     
         4 . The mannequin base according to  claim 1 , wherein the (first) rebound panel comprises rubber. 
     
     
         5 . The mannequin base according to  claim 1 , wherein the external face of the (first) rebound panel has an average height of at least 10 cm or an average height of up to 30 cm. 
     
     
         6 . The mannequin base according to  claim 1 , wherein the external face of the (first) rebound panel has a rebound return (according to the Rebound Return Test) of at least 40% of the drop distance. 
     
     
         7 . The mannequin base according to  claim 1 , wherein the vertically off-set plane of the external face of the (first) rebound panel is off-set at an angle of at least 10° to the vertical plane or the vertically off-set plane of the external face of the rebound panel is off-set at an angle of up to 50° to the vertical plane. 
     
     
         8 . The mannequin base according to  claim 1 , wherein movement of the mannequin base from the first position, wherein the external face of the (first) rebound panel is in a substantially vertical position operable to receive and rebound a ball along a substantially horizontal plane and, wherein the attachment portion is operable to hold the mannequin body in a substantially vertical position, to the second position wherein the external face of the (first) rebound panel is in a vertically off-set position, operable to receive a ball along a substantially horizontal plane and rebound the ball along a horizontally off-set plane may comprise rotation of the base about the longitudinal or lateral axis of the base. 
     
     
         9 . The mannequin base according to  claim 1 , wherein the mannequin base comprises a rear support member operable to assist with supporting the external face of the (first) rebound panel in use. 
     
     
         10 . The mannequin base according to  claim 1 , wherein the internal volume extending between the peripheral edges of the (first) rebound panel and the peripheral edges of the rear support member is at least 20% void space. 
     
     
         11 . The mannequin base according to  claim 1 , wherein the mannequin base further comprises a linking support member that connects the rear support member and the (first) rebound panel and assists with supporting the rebound panel in position. 
     
     
         12 . The mannequin base according to  claim 1 , wherein the (first) rebound panel, rear support member and first and second side linking support members are integrally manufactured. 
     
     
         13 . The mannequin base according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear support member comprises a second rebound panel comprising an external face operable to contact with and rebound a ball. 
     
     
         14 . A mannequin body for use as training apparatus comprising:
 a. a first support member;   b. a second support member, and   c. a linking member   wherein the linking member is operable to form an adjustable attachment with the first and second support members so that the linking member is operable to move from a first configuration with the first and second support members wherein the mannequin body has a first height, to a second configuration with the first and second support members wherein the mannequin body has a second height that is different to the first height.   
     
     
         15 . The mannequin body according to  claim 14 , wherein a first end of the first and second support members comprises an attachment member operable to form a reversible attachment to a mannequin base. 
     
     
         16 . The mannequin body according to  claim 14 , wherein a second end of the first and second support members are operable to reversibly attach to opposite ends of the linking member. 
     
     
         17 . The mannequin body according to  claim 14 , wherein the first and second support members and the linking member are operable to be arranged in a telescopic configuration to form an adjustable attachment configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The mannequin body according to  claim 14 , wherein the mannequin body comprises at least one body panel operable to further restrict the passage of a ball through the mannequin body. 
     
     
         19 . A kit of parts for a mannequin comprising a mannequin base according to  claim 1  and a mannequin body comprising an attachment portion operable to engage with the attachment portion of the mannequin base so as to hold the mannequin body in a substantially vertical position.