U.S. patent application number 10/605883 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-05 for a training device used with a sports stick having a hollow handle.
Invention is credited to Houston, David J., Houston, Peter D..
Application Number | 20050096159 10/605883 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34549680 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050096159 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Houston, David J. ; et
al. |
May 5, 2005 |
A TRAINING DEVICE USED WITH A SPORTS STICK HAVING A HOLLOW
HANDLE
Abstract
A sports training device of the present invention includes a
plurality of rod members forming a rod assembly configured to be
received within a hollow handle of a sport stick. First and second
bumper elements are connected to opposing ends of said rod
assembly. The sports training device may also include an end cap
connected to the hollow handle and a mid bumper slidably received
on an outer surface of the rod assembly along its length. The
sports training device may be reconfigured with rod members of
different lengths and weights to accommodate a variety of different
sports and a variety of user needs. The weighted sports training
device of the present invention provides the user with enhanced
training capabilities and also provides an end cap that may be
utilized with an existing sport stick during training and actual
play of the sport.
Inventors: |
Houston, David J.; (East
Lansing, MI) ; Houston, Peter D.; (East Lansing,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOSTER, SWIFT, COLLINS & SMITH, P.C.
313 SOUTH WASHINGTON SQUARE
LANSING
MI
48933
US
|
Family ID: |
34549680 |
Appl. No.: |
10/605883 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/513 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 60/42 20151001;
A63B 2225/09 20130101; A63B 2102/22 20151001; A63B 69/36 20130101;
A63B 59/20 20151001; A63B 60/02 20151001; A63B 60/16 20151001; A63B
60/00 20151001; A63B 59/70 20151001; A63B 2102/14 20151001; A63B
60/54 20151001; A63B 69/0024 20130101; A63B 69/3638 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/513 |
International
Class: |
A63B 059/02 |
Claims
1. A training device for use with a hollow handled sport stick,
comprising: a rod assembly including a plurality of threadably
connected rod members, said rod assembly configured to be received
within the hollow handle; a first bumper element and a second
bumper element connected to said rod assembly on opposing ends of
said rod assembly; and wherein at least one of said plurality of
rod members provides weight at a selected location along the sport
stick.
2. The training device of claim 1, wherein said rod assembly
includes at least one threaded connector threadably connecting said
plurality of rod members.
3. The training device of claim 1, wherein said rod assembly is
received within the hollow handle of a lacrosse stick.
4. The training device of claim 1, further including an end cap
connected to an end of the sport stick and a portion of said end
cap is received within the hollow handle.
5. The training device of claim 4, wherein said end cap includes an
outer member and a threadably connected inner member and wherein
said end cap expands to form a friction fit within the hollow
handle.
6. The training device of claim 1, wherein said first and second
bumper elements each include an insert received within an inner
diameter of said first and second bumper elements and said insert
is configured to threadably attach to opposing ends of said rod
assembly.
7. The training device of claim 1, further including a mid bumper
slidably received on an outer surface of said rod assembly and
positioned at a selected location along the length of said rod
assembly.
8. The training device of claim 1, further including a pull cord
attached to said rod assembly adjacent an end nearest the end of
the sport stick.
9. A sports training device, comprising: a sport stick having a
hollow handle; a rod assembly configured to be removably received
within said hollow handle; a plurality of bumper elements each
having an insert connected to an inner diameter thereof and
configured to threadably connect to an end of said rod assembly;
and wherein said rod assembly includes at least one rod member
configured to provide weight at a selected location along said
sport stick.
10. The sports training device of claim 9, wherein said rod
assembly includes a plurality of threadably connected rod
members.
11. The sports training device of claim 9, further including an end
cap configured to be attached to an end of said sport stick.
12. The sports training device of claim 11, wherein said end cap
includes an inner member received within said hollow handle and an
outer member extending outside of said hollow handle, and wherein
said outer member is substantially cone shaped and includes an open
end that is configured to expand over said inner member.
13. A kit for sports training, the kit comprising: a plurality of
rod members configured to be threadably connected to form a rod
assembly and to be received within a hollow handle of a sport
stick; a plurality of threaded connectors; and a first bumper
element and a second bumper element each having an insert
configured to threadably connect said first and second bumper
elements to opposing ends of said rod assembly.
14. The kit of claim 13, further comprising: at least one end cap
configured to be attached to an end of the hollow handle of the
sport stick.
15. The kit of claim 14, further comprising: at least one threaded
connector configured to threadably connect one of said first and
second bumper elements to said rod assembly.
16. The kit of claim 15, further comprising: a carrying case.
17. The kit of claim 13, wherein at least one of said plurality of
rod members provides weight at a selected location along the sport
stick.
18. The kit of claim 13, further including at least one mid
bumper.
19. A sports training device, comprising: a sport stick having a
hollow handle; an end cap configured to fit on an end of said sport
stick and including an inner member positioned within said hollow
handle adjacent to an end of said sport stick and an outer member
having a portion extending out of said hollow handle and threadably
connected to said inner member; and wherein said outer member
includes an open end configured to expand over said inner member
when tightened to secure said end cap to said sport stick.
20. The sports training device of claim 19, further including a rod
assembly configured to be received within said hollow handle.
21. The sports training device of claim 20, wherein said rod
assembly includes at least one rod member configured to provide
weight at a selected location along said sport stick.
22. The sports training device of claim 20, wherein said rod
assembly includes a plurality of rod members threadably
connected.
23. The sports training device of claim 20, further including a
first bumper element and a second bumper element connected to said
rod assembly.
24. A method of sport training with a sport stick having a hollow
handle, the method comprising the steps of: connecting two rod
members to form a rod assembly having a selected weight and length;
connecting a first bumper element to one end of said rod assembly;
connecting a second bumper element to an opposite end of said rod
assembly; placing said rod assembly inside the hollow handle; and
training with the sport stick.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of: placing
an end cap on an end of the hollow handle.
26. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of:
slidably connecting a mid bumper to said rod assembly at a selected
location along the length of said rod assembly.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a sports training
device and particularly to a sports training device and kit for use
in training for sports using a sport stick having a hollow
handle.
[0003] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0004] Many sports involve use of a racquet, stick or other similar
equipment, such as in hockey, lacrosse, golf, tennis and baseball.
Because of the importance of hand position on the stick in many
different sports, many sports sticks and handles have specific
designs. For example, some sports require frequent hand movements
along the stick or handle such as in tennis, hockey and lacrosse.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,500,079 to Tucker (and divisional application U.S.
2003/0045380 A1), discloses an overlay located over the shaft of
the stick or handle that is designed to accommodate how a player
moves their hands along the handle. Other sports sticks focus on
the configuration of the handle, such as adding a bend in the
handle to improve the balance and weight distribution of the
stick.
[0005] There are also sports training aids known in the art for
sports sticks. Some of these types of training aids are designed
with a specific configuration such as a particular size and shape
and are not reconfigurable by the user. Others provide a means of
adding stiffness and flexibility to the sport stick for use in
training, by inserting a device into the hollow handle of the
stick. These types of training devices typically focus on
manipulating the flexure of the stick while in use and do not
provide a means to manipulate the weight distribution within the
stick.
[0006] Some sports enthusiasts currently add sand or other
materials to a hollow handle of a sport stick to increase the
weight of the stick temporarily for training purposes. This method
of increasing the weight does not allow the user to regulate
effectively the weight of the stick and is a cumbersome and messy
procedure. The user must have the ability to store the sand when
the stick is not being used for training purposes, and must have a
means for efficiently adding the sand to the handle. Further, added
material such as sand is likely to shift or escape from the
handle.
[0007] Although there are many different types and styles of sports
sticks and training devices, there are no known training devices
designed to allow a user to add or adjust weight to an existing
sports stick or handle at selected locations along the length of
the stick or handle. There are also no known sports training
devices that are easily reconfigurable by adding or removing
weighted components as desired by the user. This type of training
device would allow the user to reconfigure the training device to
meet multiple training activities and to meet the desired weight
training requirements of different users.
[0008] Thus, there is a desire and need in the art for a device
configured to add or adjust weight at selected locations along the
length of an existing sport stick or handle to be used as a sports
training device and that can be easily reconfigured by the
user.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, the present invention provides a sports
training device for use with a sport stick having a hollow handle
such as a hollow handled lacrosse stick. The sports training device
of the present invention enables a user to add or adjust weight to
the sport stick at selected locations along its length. The added
weight provides more precise movement-specific strength training
capabilities than currently available in the art. The sports
training device is versatile and may be configured for use in a
variety of different sport tools such as hockey sticks, lacrosse
sticks and the like. It may also be reconfigured by a user by
repositioning the weighted components and changing the quantity of
weighted components along its length.
[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, a training
device for use with a hollow handled sport stick includes a rod
assembly including a plurality of rod members threadably connected.
The rod assembly is configured to be received within the hollow
handle of the sport stick. First and second bumper elements are
connected to opposing ends of the rod assembly. At least one of the
plurality of rod members provides weight at a selected location
along the sport stick.
[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, a sports
training device includes a sport stick having a hollow handle and a
rod assembly configured to be removably received within the hollow
handle. A plurality of bumper elements, having an insert connected
to an inner diameter of the plurality of bumper elements, is
configured to threadably connect to ends of the rod assembly. The
rod assembly also includes at least one rod member configured to
provide weight at a selected location along the sport stick.
[0012] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a kit
for sports training includes a plurality of rod members configured
to be threadably connected to form a rod assembly and to be
received within a hollow handle of a sport stick. A plurality of
threaded connectors are included and first and second bumper
elements, each having an insert configured to threadably connect
the first and second bumper elements to opposing ends of the rod
assembly are also included.
[0013] In still another embodiment of the present invention, a
sports training device includes a sport stick having a hollow
handle and an end cap configured to fit on an end of the sport
stick. The end cap includes an inner member positioned within the
hollow handle adjacent to an end of the sport stick and an outer
member having a portion extending out of the hollow handle and
threadably connected to the inner member. The outer member includes
an open end configured to expand over the inner member when
tightened to secure the end cap to the sport stick.
[0014] In still another embodiment of the present invention, a
method of sports training with a sport stick having a hollow handle
includes the steps of: connecting two rod members to form a rod
assembly having a selected weight and length; connecting a first
bumper element to one end of the rod assembly and a second bumper
element to an opposite end of the rod assembly; placing the rod
assembly inside the hollow handle; and training with the sport
stick.
[0015] Other features of the present invention will become more
apparent to persons having ordinary skill in the art to which the
present invention pertains from the following description and
claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] The foregoing features, as well as other features, will
become apparent with reference to the description and figures
below, in which like numerals represent like elements, and in
which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a sports training
device of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of a sports training
device of the present invention positioned within the handle of a
lacrosse stick;
[0019] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a rod assembly and bumper
elements of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a front view of an embodiment of a sports training
device of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a bumper element and insert of
the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 6 is an assembled perspective view of a bumper element
and insert of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a mid bumper and mid insert of
the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an end cap assembly of the
present invention;
[0025] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an end cap assembly of the
present invention; and
[0026] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a kit of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The present invention provides a sports training device that
enables the user to add or adjust weight to a sport stick, such as
a lacrosse stick, at desired locations along its length. The
present invention is reconfigurable by changing the location of the
weighted components along the length of the stick or adding or
removing weighted components. The sports training device can be
used for training in a variety of different sports that utilize a
sport stick having a hollow handle and would benefit from a
variable weight distribution. A user may configure the sports
training device to have a specific length and diameter to
accommodate specific lengths and sizes of existing sports
sticks.
[0028] Referring now to the figures, a sports training device 20 of
the present invention is configured to be received within a hollow
handle 22 of a standard sport stick. For illustrative purposes, and
not by way of limitation, the present invention is shown for a
lacrosse stick as shown in FIG. 2. Sports training device 20 of the
present invention provides an improved method of increasing the
weight of a sports stick to provide enhanced training capabilities.
As shown in FIG. 1, sports training device 20 may be configured
with at least one rod member 28 and a first and second bumper
element 30 and 32. One or more rod members 28 may be connected
together to form a rod assembly 34 to achieve the desired length of
sports training device 20. First and second bumper elements 30 and
32 may be connected on opposing ends of rod assembly 34. First and
second bumper elements 30 and 32 may comprise the same component,
reducing the number of required overall components and thereby
reducing manufacturing costs.
[0029] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3, sports training device
20 includes first and second bumper elements 30 and 32 received on
opposing ends of rod assembly 34. Rod assembly 34 in this
embodiment includes two rod members 28 threadably connected
together. It is to be understood, however, that any quantity of rod
members 28 may be utilized depending on the length required by the
particular user. Rod members 28 may be constructed of a metallic
material such as steel to provide sufficient weight for enhanced
training with the sport stick. Alternatively, rod members 28 may be
constructed of a light weight material such as plastic or wood. A
user may then connect selected weighted and unweighted rod members
28 to form a desired configuration of rod assembly 34. This enables
a user to position weighted rod members 28 at desired locations
along the length of a sport stick to achieve a desired weight
distribution. In addition to changing the material used to
construct rod members 28 to alter the weight of the sports training
device 20, the weight of a given rod member 28 may also be varied
by changing the diameter or size of rod member 28. Rod member 28
may include a threaded aperture 46 on opposite ends as shown in
FIG. 3. Threaded apertures 46 may be configured to receive a
threaded connector 44, similar to a threaded rod, to connect two or
more rod members 28 together to form the desired length of rod
assembly 34. First and second bumper elements 30 and 32 have an
outer diameter 26 (See FIG. 1) configured to fit snugly within
hollow handle 22 and cushion or suppress any movement of training
device 20 within hollow handle 22 during use. First and second
bumper elements 30 and 32 may include a tapered end 33 to
facilitate insertion of training device 20 into hollow handle 22.
Bumper elements 30 and 32 may be constructed of a variety of
materials having a variety of different densities including, but
not limited to, foam, plastic and rubber. A given bumper element 30
or 32 may also be constructed of a dual density material such as a
dual density foam. For example, the outer surface of bumper element
30 or 32 may include a lower density material to allow it to easily
compress and slide within hollow handle 22 to its desired location.
Near the center or core of bumper element 30 or 32, a higher
density material may be used to provide stronger support of
training device 20 within hollow handle 22 and to reduce movement
or vibration.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, bumper elements 30 and 32 may
include a cylindrical insert 38 configured to be telescopingly
received within an inner diameter 42 of bumper elements 30 and 32.
Insert 38 may be constructed of plastic or other suited material
and include a threaded aperture 43 on an interior portion and an
outer surface 37. Outer surface 37 may be adhesively secured to
inner diameter 42 of bumper elements 30 and 32. Alternatively, a
friction fit or other suitable attachment method, known in the art,
may be used to attach insert 38 to bumper elements 30 or 32. Insert
38 may also include an inner diameter 40 that is configured to be
slidably received on an end of rod assembly 34. Threaded connector
44, on opposing ends of rod assembly 34, may be threadably
connected to threaded aperture 43 to securely connect bumper
elements 30 and 32 to rod assembly 34.
[0031] A mid bumper 66 may also be included that may be slidably
received over rod assembly 34 to a center or mid-section of rod
assembly 34 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4. Mid bumper 66 provides
further cushioning of rod assembly 34 when it is positioned in the
interior of a sports stick. Mid bumper 66 may be particularly
useful with sports sticks that are fairly long and may result in
flexure in the middle section of the rod assembly 34 during use.
Mid bumper 66 may include tapered ends similar to end bumpers 30
and 32 as shown in FIG. 4 or alternatively may be constructed with
straight ends as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. Mid bumper 66 may also
include a mid insert 68 similar to insert 38 as shown in FIG. 7.
Mid insert 68 may be constructed of plastic or other suited
material and include an outer surface 67. Outer surface 67 may be
adhesively secured to an inner diameter 70 of mid bumper 66.
Alternatively, a friction fit or other suitable attachment method
known in the art may be used to attach mid insert 68 to mid bumper
66. Mid insert 68 may also include an inner diameter 72 that is
configured to be slidably received on an exterior of rod assembly
34. Inner diameter 72 may be sized such that it allows mid bumper
66 to slide along rod assembly 34, yet snug enough to provide a
friction fit to hold mid bumper 66 at a desired location along the
length of rod assembly 34.
[0032] Sports training device 20 may also include an end cap
assembly 48 known in the art and configured to fit on an end of
hollow handle 22 as shown in FIGS. 2, 8 and 9. Many typical end
caps for sports sticks such as lacrosse sticks, involve time
consuming taping of an end piece or cover to the stick. If a user
desires to remove the end piece, the tape must be cut or torn off
and discarded, requiring more tape to connect the end piece on the
stick. These typical end pieces may also require re-taping after
use due to the wear the tape receives during use.
[0033] End cap assembly 48 of the present invention provides a
removable and reusable end cap to allow a user to remove the end
cap assembly 48 quickly and easily and place rod assembly 34 within
the hollow handle of the stick. End cap assembly 48 may be
constructed of a pliable plastic or rubber that may conform to the
inner diameter of hollow handle 22 and provide a suitable material
for a user to handle during use. End cap assembly 48 may include an
outer member 50 and an inner member 54. Outer member 50 may include
an exposed portion 52 that extends outside of the hollow handle 22
and may be threadably attached to inner member 54. A screw 56
extends through a counter sunk hole 58 in outer member 50 and into
a hole 60 in inner member 54. End cap assembly 48 may be placed in
an end of hollow handle 22 as shown in FIG. 2. End cap assembly 48
achieves a friction fit with interior walls of hollow handle 22 as
screw 56 is tightened, and outer member 50 expands over inner
member 54. This expansion frictionally holds end cap assembly 48 in
position on the end of hollow handle 22. As an alternative, end cap
assembly 48 may be constructed as a single component made of rubber
or other comparable materials and simply forced into the end of
hollow handle 22 to form a friction fit with the inner walls of
hollow handle 22. End cap assembly 48 may also be used during
actual play of the sport after the training activity has been
completed, and rod assembly 34 has been removed from the sport
stick.
[0034] To assist in removing rod assembly 34 from the sport stick,
a pull cord 74 may be incorporated into the sports training device
20. Because of the friction fit of bumper elements 30 and 32 and
mid bumper 66, rod assembly 34 may be difficult to remove from the
sport stick, especially in a case where the sport stick has a
particularly narrow interior diameter. Pull cord 74 may be a simple
cord, such as a string, that may be tied on the end of rod assembly
34 that is positioned nearest the end cap assembly 48 as shown in
FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 2, pull cord 74 may be tucked into the end
of the hollow handle of the sport stick during use of the training
device. In this position it will be readily available to a user to
grip and pull when the user has completed the training activity and
wants to remove training device 20 from the sport stick.
[0035] In another embodiment of the present invention, a sports
training device 20 may be configured as a kit 62 shown in FIG. 10.
A kit 62 may include at least one rod member 28 and at least one
first and second bumper elements 30 and 32. Kit 62 may also include
at least one connector 44 and at least one end cap assembly 48.
Sports sticks and handles come in a variety of sizes, including
various lengths and various diameters and shapes. Therefore, sports
training device 20 of the present invention may be provided in a
variety of lengths to accommodate these different uses. Kit 62 may
include various quantities and sizes of the components of the
present invention to enable a user to configure a sport training
device 20 suited for the particular need of the user. A carrying
case 64 may also be included to hold and store some or all of the
components of kit 62.
[0036] In use, sports training device 20 may be reconfigured to
accommodate a variety of different training purposes. A method of
using the present invention may include assembling a sports
training device 20 to meet the particular user's needs by selecting
the desired quantity and weight of rod members 28 to form rod
assembly 34. First and second bumper elements 30 and 32 may be
connected to opposing ends of rod assembly 34. Training device 20
may be positioned inside a hollow handle 22 of a selected sport
stick, and an end cap assembly 48 may be inserted at one end as
previously described to prevent rod assembly 34 from protruding or
sliding out of hollow handle 22. The user may then use the sport
stick for enhanced sports training. Sports training device 20 may
be reconfigured by changing the weight of rod members 28 or by
changing the length of rod assembly 34 by adding or removing
selected rod members 28. When the sports training activity has been
completed, the user may remove end cap assembly 48 to allow removal
of rod assembly 34 from the sport stick. The user may then
reposition end cap assembly 48 on the end of the sport stick for
use during actual play of the sport.
[0037] While the invention has been described in conjunction with
specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives,
modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in
the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, the
present invention attempts to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope
of the appended claims.
* * * * *