U.S. patent application number 12/844826 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-02 for training strap and glove.
Invention is credited to Corey Shane Love.
Application Number | 20120028738 12/844826 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45527279 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120028738 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Love; Corey Shane |
February 2, 2012 |
Training Strap and Glove
Abstract
A training glove or a strap comprising a rubberized fixture
affixed to said palmar side of each of the said glove or strap to
enable the player to securely grasp a ball thrown towards the palms
of at said player, wherein the thumb is substantially not connected
with any other finger of the player, either in the strap or glove
embodiment, wherein the rubberized fixture is a protrusion to allow
the fingers of each palm of the player to engage the ball to curl
substantially to grasp the ball thrown at the player.
Inventors: |
Love; Corey Shane; (Los
Angeles, CA) |
Family ID: |
45527279 |
Appl. No.: |
12/844826 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/438 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/143 20130101;
A63B 71/141 20130101; A63B 59/30 20151001; A63B 71/148 20130101;
A63B 2209/10 20130101; A63B 2243/0037 20130101; A63B 2243/0025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/438 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A training strap comprising: a palmar side and a dorsal side,
wherein the training strap circumnavigates the palm of each hand of
a player at least once with said palmar side adjacent each palm of
the hand, and said dorsal side adjacent back of said each palm; a
fixture affixed to said palmar side of each of the said straps to
enable the player to securely grasp a ball thrown towards the palms
of said player; the fixture comprising a partially substantially
spherical portion and a flat portion, the substantially spherical
portion adapted to extend outwardly from the palm of the hand and
the flat portion adapted to engage against the palm of the
hand.
2. The strap of claim 1, wherein each of the fixtures is a
protrusion to allow the fingers of each palm of the player to
engage the ball to curl substantially to grasp the ball thrown at
the player.
3. The strap of claim 2, wherein the protrusion is affixed to the
strap by at least one of a hook and loop fastener, clasp fastener,
button fastener, snap fastener, or a high-adhesion glue.
4. The strap of claim 2, wherein the protrusion is integrally
designed with the strap.
5. The strap of claim 2, wherein the protrusion is made of a
substantially flexible material to deflect the ball away from the
palms of the player when the ball is grasped incorrectly.
6. The strap of claim 5, wherein the material of the protrusion is
one of a resin, polymer, rubber, neoprene, plastic.
7. A training strap for mounting on the hand of a user for training
the user in proper ball-catching technique, the training strap
comprising: a strap; and a partially substantially spherical
resilient member interconnected with the strap, the partially
substantially spherical member having a substantially flat base
that is adapted to securely engage a palm of a user's hand; the
substantially spherical portion adapted to extend outwardly from
the palm of the hand; wherein the training strap is adapted to
circumnavigate the hand of a player and to secure the partially
substantially spherical resilient member to the palm of the
hand.
8. A training strap as defined in claim 7, wherein said
substantially flat base is substantially in planar alignment with
said strap, whereby both said substantially flat base and said
strap are adapted to continuously contact a palm of the hand.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to the Provisional
Application with Ser. No. 61/270,480 filed Jul. 9, 2009
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a glove or a strap used for
training individuals participating in football or basketball to
securely grasp a ball with controlled flexion of the fingers.
[0003] There are many different types of gloves which are used in
sports such as baseball, basketball, football, tennis, racquetball,
etc. These gloves are used to either improve performance (e.g.,
enabling higher accuracy shots in basketball) and/or provide
protection while playing a sport. Training gloves, for example in
basketball, also make it easy to grasp a ball by expanding the
periphery of the players hand. Other types of gloves are designed
to improve performance by keeping moisture away from the ball while
in contact with the players hand thereby allowing a stable grasp on
the ball before a throw.
[0004] However, these gloves are generally not designed to train
the player securely grasp a ball that is thrown at the player.
Furthermore, a trainer, such as a personal trainer, may wish to
re-use the same glove over time with different players. In many
instances re-using a glove over multiple people may lead to the
transmission of skin bacteria between trainees using the same
glove.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention addresses the above and other needs by
providing a training glove or a strap for training basketball and
football players for catching the ball thrown towards them. Since
the strap involves minimal contact area with the palm of the strap
user, it permits substantially larger breathing area for the palm,
thereby substantially reducing the transmission of skin bacteria
and diseases between players.
[0006] The strap circumnavigates the palm of each hand at least
once and comprises a palmar side and a dorsal side. The palmar side
of a strap on each palm is adjacent to the front of the palm of the
hand, and the dorsal side is adjacent to the back of the
corresponding palm. In the case of a glove, the glove fits snugly
on the palm of the player and it could be a full-covering glove
where the fingers are covered completely or a semi-covering glove
where at least some of the fingers are exposed. Additionally, the
glove may have breathing holes along the palmar and/or the dorsal
side for reducing perspiration on the palm of the player.
[0007] To the training glove/strap a fixture, which may be a
protrusion or a rubberized ejector, or a substantially flexible
attachment is affixed on the palmar side of each or either one of
the gloves/straps to enable the player to securely grasp a ball
thrown towards the palms of at said player. Specifically, when a
football or a basketball is thrown at the player wearing the
glove/strap, if both the palms and fingers are curved substantially
and correctly, relative to the wrist of the hand, then the ball can
be grasped and retained in the fingers, and substantially away from
the palm, of the player in a secure manner. In contrast, if the
palms and the fingers of the hand are incorrectly angulated
relative to the wrist, the ball is deflected by the protrusion away
from the palm of the player due to the flexibility of the
protrusion.
[0008] Specifically, the protrusion is made of a substantially
flexible material to deflect the ball away from the palms of the
player when the ball is grasped incorrectly. For example, the
protrusion may be made from rubber, polymer, resin, neoprene, etc.
Furthermore, the protrusion may be affixed to the strap by at least
one of a Velcro, clasp/hook fastener, button fastener, snap
fastener, or a high-adhesive glue. Alternatively, the protrusion
may be integrally designed with the strap. The shape of the
protrusion could be either substantially spherical, hemi-spherical,
oblong, or any other polygonal shape.
[0009] The protrusion works as an ejector of the ball.
Specifically, when a football or a basketball is thrown at a
player, the protrusion enables intrinsic training to a player to
catch a ball efficiently without dropping the ball by using his/her
extended fingers to catch the ball and not rely on the use of the
palm to catch the football or basketball. Thus, if the player
attempts to catch the ball with his/her palms the ball is ejected
or bounced out by the rubberized/flexible ejector. It is well
established by observation and analysis of some of the best
football receivers, coaches and trainers, that they are able to
catch balls efficiently and effectively with the use of their
outstretched or extended fingers rather than their palms.
Furthermore, using the fingers to catch the football through the
use of extended fingers and not the palms actually increases the
yardage on a football field by at least about six inches. For
example, the following video on the Internet (dated Aug. 8, 2008)
describes the effective catching ability of a well known football
receiver Jerry Rice by using his fingers:
http://newsports.com/2008/08/08/sports-science-chad-johnson-jerry-rice-vi-
deo/.
[0010] Thus, the most appropriate way, in terms of effectiveness
and efficiency, to catch a football or basketball, is with the mid
and upper fingers by completely avoiding contact with the palm of
the hand. Catching with the palm introduces a ricochet for the
ball, causing the ball to bounce out of the grasp of the catcher.
Thus, by adding the rubberized, `bouncer` in the palm of the hand
introduces substantial increase in the ricochet effect, and trains
the wearer to over compensate and exaggerate use of the fingers.
Continual constant use will train the player to catch and secure
with consistency by improving the dexterity and strength of the
fingers. The forced over-use of the fingers also extends the
catching range by at least about 6 inches.
[0011] In the present invention all fingers are free and not
affixed to the palm of the hand in order to allow full rotation.
For example, the thumb is not strapped or connected to any part of
the player's palm/hand thereby allowing full 360 degrees motion of
the thumb. Free motion of the thumb is necessary for effective and
efficient catching of the football or basketball. Thus if the thumb
were to be unrestricted, as in the present invention, it allows for
"abduction" (viz., the thumb to move away) and "adduction" (viz.,
the thumb to move towards) relative to the palm/hand. This then
allows full flexion and extension of all fingers. By allowing free
rotation (abduction/adduction and flexion/extension) this device
(training glove or strap) can be used by Occupational and Physical
Therapists in rehabilitating patients with brain injuries, strokes,
hand injuries and nerve damage to the hand by increasing or
improving manual dexterity of the hand and simultaneously
increasing strength of fingers.
[0012] While the invention herein disclosed has been described by
means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous
modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled
in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set
forth in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0013] The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the
present invention will be more apparent from the following more
particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the
following drawings.
[0014] FIGS. 1-3 show various views of a palmar side of the
training glove embodiment depicting the rubberized
ejector-protrusion.
[0015] FIG. 4 shows a depiction of a palmar side of the training
glove having the rubberized ejector-protrusion in contact with the
surface of a ball.
[0016] FIGS. 5-9 shows various views of the training strap
embodiment depicting the rubberized ejector-protrusion.
[0017] FIG. 10 shows a view of a palmar side of the training strap
embodiment depicting the rubberized ejector-protrusion in contact
with a ball.
[0018] FIGS. 11-13 shows another embodiment of the training glove
having a sleeve, such as a net or a pocket, to accommodate the
rubberized ejector of various dimensions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] FIGS. 1-3 are schematic views of a rubberized ejector
protrusion 4 for use in a glove 2 in accordance with one embodiment
of the invention. The protrusion 4 may include material may be made
from rubber, polymer, resin, neoprene, etc. and may be manufactured
in the shape that could be could be either substantially spherical,
hemi-spherical, oblong, or any other polygonal shape. Furthermore,
the protrusion 4 may be affixed to the glove 2 by at least one of a
Velcro, clasp/hook fastener, button fastener, snap fastener, or a
high-adhesive glue. Alternatively, the protrusion may be integrally
designed with the glove 2.
[0020] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-3, the protrusion 4 is
shown overlayed and in contact with the thumb sleeve 6 of the glove
2. Also, shown are the relative spacing between the base of the
remaining glove finger sleeves 8 and the projector 4. In another
aspect of the invention, the protrusion 4 is of a smaller dimension
and is substantially spaced away from the thumb sleeve 6 of the
glove 2.
[0021] In the present invention the finger-sleeves 8 of the glove 2
are free and not affixed to the palm of the hand or the ejectorized
protrusion 4. Furthermore, any of the finger-sleeves 8 are not
attached to each other in order to allow full rotation of the thumb
in thumb sleeve 6. For example, the thumb sleeve 6 is not strapped
or connected to any part of the player's palm/hand nor with any of
the other finger-sleeves 8 thereby allowing full 360 degrees motion
of the thumb placed in the thumb sleeve 6. Free motion of the thumb
is necessary for effective and efficient catching of the football
or basketball. Thus if the thumb were to be unrestricted, as in the
present invention, it allows for "abduction" (viz., the thumb to
move away) and "adduction" (viz., the thumb to move towards)
relative to the palm/hand. This then allows full flexion and
extension of all fingers. By allowing free rotation (viz.,
abduction/adduction and flexion/extension) the training glove 2 can
be used by Occupational and Physical Therapists in rehabilitating
patients with brain injuries, strokes, hand injuries and nerve
damage to the hand by increasing or improving manual dexterity of
the hand and simultaneously increasing strength of fingers.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows the protrusion 4 on glove 2 in contact with a
ball 10. The operation of the protrusion 4 in relation to
increasing the grasping efficiency for training a user to grasp the
ball 10 will be explained. Specifically, the protrusion 4 is made
of a substantially flexible material to deflect the ball 10 away
from the palm of the player when the ball is grasped incorrectly in
the glove 2. The protrusion 4 works as an ejector of the ball 10.
Specifically, when a football or a basketball is thrown at a
player, the protrusion 4 enables intrinsic training to a player to
catch a ball 10 efficiently without dropping the ball 10 by using
his/her extended fingers 8 to catch the ball 10 and not rely on the
use of the palm to catch the football or basketball. Thus, if the
player attempts to catch the ball 10 with his/her palms the ball 10
is ejected or bounced out by the rubberized/flexible ejector 4. It
is well established by observation and analysis of some of the best
football receivers, coaches and trainers, that they are able to
catch balls efficiently and effectively with the use of their
outstretched or extended fingers rather than their palms.
Furthermore, using the fingers to catch the football through the
use of extended fingers and not the palms actually increases the
yardage on a football field by at least about six inches.
[0023] Specifically, when a football or a basketball is thrown at
the player wearing the glove 2, if the palms, the thumb and the
fingers positioned in the corresponding sleeves, 6 and 8,
respectively, are curved substantially and correctly, relative to
the wrist of the hand, then the ball 10 can be grasped and retained
in the fingers 6, 8, and substantially away from the palm, of the
player in a secure manner. In contrast, if the palms and the
fingers 6, 8 of the hand are incorrectly angulated relative to the
wrist, the ball 10 is deflected by the protrusion away from the
palm of the player due to the substantial flexibility of the
protrusion 4.
[0024] Thus, the glove 10 has been designed to catch a football or
basketball effectively and efficiently with the mid and upper
fingers in the corresponding finger sleeves 8, and by flexing the
thumb located in the free thumb sleeve 6, and by completely
avoiding contact with the palm of the hand having the rubberized
ejector 4. Attempting to catch with the palm introduces a ricochet
for the ball 10, causing the ball 10 to bounce out of the grasp of
the catcher. Thus, adding the rubberized `bouncer` 4 in the palm of
the hand introduces substantial increase in the ricochet effect,
and trains the wearer to over compensate and exaggerate use of the
fingers 8 and the free thumb. Continual constant use will train the
player to catch and secure with consistency by improving the
dexterity and strength of the fingers. The forced over-use of the
fingers also extends the catching range by at least about 6
inches.
[0025] FIGS. 5-10 shows various views of the training strap
embodiment 20 depicting the rubberized ejector-protrusion 22.
Similar in operation to the training glove embodiment, the
rubberized projector 22 resides on a strap 20 which wraps around
the palm 30 of a user, such that on one edge 32 it lies between the
thumb 26 and forefinger 24 of the user, whereas on the other edge
34 the strap wraps below the little finger 28 of the palm 30. The
protrusion 22 may include material may be made from rubber,
polymer, resin, neoprene, etc. and may be manufactured in the shape
that could be could be either substantially spherical,
hemi-spherical, oblong, or any other polygonal shape. Furthermore,
the protrusion 22 may be affixed to the strap 20 by at least one of
a Velcro, clasp/hook fastener, button fastener, snap fastener, or a
high-adhesive glue. Alternatively, the protrusion may be integrally
designed with the strap 20. Additionally, a fastener (as depicted
by a Velcro) 34 is used to fasten the strap 20 securely around the
palm 30 of the user. Since the strap 20 involves minimal contact
area with the palm of the user, it permits substantially larger
breathing area for the palm, thereby substantially reducing the
transmission of skin bacteria and diseases between players.
[0026] FIGS. 11-13 depict another embodiment of the training glove
having a sleeve, such as a net or a pocket 38, to accommodate the
rubberized ejector of various dimensions. The net or sleeve 38 is
stretchable thereby allowing rubberized ejectors 39, such as a
small ball that operates as an ejector (and is not equivalent to a
ball thrown at the user as stated below), of various dimensions to
be inserted in said sleeve 38. This design allows the training
glove to be adapted for training in sports having balls of
different sizes and dimensions such as a football, basketball, a
rugby ball, etc. that are thrown at the user. The sleeve 38 can be
designed to be an integral part of the glove or it can be affixed
to the palm of the glove by fasteners such as Velcro, clips, hooks,
zippers, or other substantially stable connection means. The
rubberized ejectors of various dimensions may be inserted from the
bottom opening 40 as shown in FIG. 13a or from the top opening 42
as depicted in FIG. 13b. The application of this training glove
and/or strap also covers golf where the ejector destabilizes the
grip in such a manner that the player is forced to recruit the
larger muscles of the shoulders, hips instead of relying on his
wrists, arms and elbows. Thus, this technique enables proper form
in order to make efficient contact with the golf-ball as
recommended by golf instructors.
[0027] The description of the exemplary and anticipated embodiments
of the invention has been presented for the purposes of
illustration and description purposes. They are not intended to be
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms
disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light
of the teachings herein.
* * * * *
References