Backyard Tennis Device

Abstract

A single player tennis ball device is disclosed for teaching tennis skills. The single player tennis ball device comprises a base component that is anchored by foldable spikes, which are inserted into the ground. The base component also has a through hole for accommodating an elastic bungee cord with a plug on one end and a tennis ball on the other. When not in use, the legs can be folded flush against the device, and it can be stored in a desired area. The device eliminates the need to have a tennis partner to practice skills with.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A single player tennis ball device that helps players independently develop their tennis skills, the single player tennis ball device comprising:
 a base component;   an elastic bungee cord; and   a tennis ball;   wherein the elastic bungee cord is secured to the base component;   wherein the tennis ball is secured to the elastic bungee cord;   wherein a user will strike the tennis ball, which will launch the tennis ball into the air, and will cause the elastic bungee cord to stretch to a length of a force of a strike and return toward the user; and   further wherein the user can practice tennis on their own with the single player tennis ball device.   
     
     
         2 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 1 , wherein the user holds a tennis racket and generally stands in a vicinity of the base component, either in front or behind the base component and generally alongside thereof during use. 
     
     
         3 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 2 , wherein the base component comprises a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing side edges, and opposing front and back edges. 
     
     
         4 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 3 , wherein a plurality of spikes are secured to the bottom surface of the base component, to anchor the base component into a ground. 
     
     
         5 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 4 , wherein there are four spikes, with one spike positioned at each corner of the bottom surface of the base component. 
     
     
         6 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 5 , wherein the four spikes are foldable into the bottom surface, and can be folded flush against the bottom surface of the base component for storage. 
     
     
         7 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 6 , wherein the base component includes a pair of handles for transportation. 
     
     
         8 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 7  further comprising a plurality of indicia. 
     
     
         9 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 8 , wherein the base component comprises a through-hole for retaining a plug. 
     
     
         10 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 9 , wherein the plug is connected to an end of the elastic bungee cord, to allow the elastic bungee cord to swivel. 
     
     
         11 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 10 , wherein projecting through the plug is a cotter pin whose loop extends through the plug and whose arms spread out inside of the plug, and the elastic bungee cord is removably connected to the cotter pin by means of a leader and swivel joint. 
     
     
         12 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 11 , wherein opposing end of the elastic bungee cord is connected to a pressureless tennis ball by means of an adapter line secured to the pressureless tennis ball and then tied securely to the elastic bungee cord. 
     
     
         13 . A single player tennis ball device that helps players independently develop their tennis skills, the single player tennis ball device comprising:
 a base component comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, opposing side edges, and opposing front and back edges;   an elastic bungee cord; and   a tennis ball; and   wherein a plurality of spikes are secured to the bottom surface of the base component, to anchor the base component into a ground;   wherein there are four spikes, with one spike positioned at each corner of the bottom surface of the base component;   wherein the four spikes are foldable into the bottom surface, and can be folded flush against the bottom surface of the base component for storage;   wherein the base component comprises a through-hole for retaining a plug;   wherein the plug is connected to an end of the elastic bungee cord, to allow the elastic bungee cord to swivel;   wherein an opposing end of the elastic bungee cord is connected to the tennis ball;   wherein a user will strike the tennis ball, which will launch the tennis ball into the air, and will cause the elastic bungee cord to stretch to a length of a force of a strike and return toward the user; and   wherein the user can practice tennis on their own with the single player tennis ball device.   
     
     
         14 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 13 , wherein snap-back or return speed of the tennis ball can be varied by adjusting a length of the elastic bungee cord, such that at a long length, the tennis ball returns at a slow rate, whereas with a short length, the tennis ball returns at a fast rate. 
     
     
         15 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 13 , wherein the elastic bungee cord is approximately 13 to 17 feet long. 
     
     
         16 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 13 , wherein the base component comprises a cavity for storing the tennis ball and the elastic bungee cord when not in use. 
     
     
         17 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 13 , wherein projecting through the plug is a cotter pin whose loop extends through the plug and whose arms spread out inside of the plug, and the elastic bungee cord is removably connected to the cotter pin by means of a leader and swivel joint. 
     
     
         18 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 17 , wherein opposing end of the elastic bungee cord is connected to a pressureless tennis ball by means of an adapter line secured to the pressureless tennis ball and then tied securely to the elastic bungee cord. 
     
     
         19 . The single player tennis ball device of  claim 13 , wherein the base component includes a pair of handles for transportation. 
     
     
         20 . A method of practicing tennis without the need for a tennis partner, the method comprising the following steps:
 providing a single player tennis ball device comprising a base component with foldable spikes and an elastic bungee cord with a tennis ball attached;   unfolding the spikes and inserting the spikes into the ground to anchor the base component;   
       securing the elastic bungee cord with the tennis ball to the base component for use;
 striking the tennis ball with a tennis racket, which launches the tennis ball into the air; and 
 
       returning the tennis ball back toward the user via the elastic bungee cord.