Prosthesis (i.e. – artificial body members) – parts thereof – or ai – Arm or component and actuator or connector therefor – With article or article holder
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-22
2001-06-12
Snow, Bruce (Department: 3738)
Prosthesis (i.e., artificial body members), parts thereof, or ai
Arm or component and actuator or connector therefor
With article or article holder
C623S033000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06245114
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an athletic equipment attachment. More specifically, the invention relates to an athletic equipment attachment for use by persons missing part of a limb, such as an arm from amputation or a congenital birth defect.
2. Related Art
Athletic equipment attachments that connect to a prosthesis which in turn is attached to a wearer's arm and/or body are well known. For example, U. S. Pat. No. 4,661,113 to Adkins discloses an attachment which is attachable at one end to a handicapped arm or prosthesis and removably attached at its other end to a threaded stud secured in the handle end of an implement such as a golf club. The attachment includes an axially non-rotatable, universal pivot connection allowing versatile movement of the implement.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,717 to Puhl discloses an attachment configured to be connected to a prosthesis at one end and to a sports implement handle, such as a golf club handle, at its other end. The attachment includes a central section of resilient material that flexes upon swinging of the arm to produce a wrist-type whipping action.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,491 to Frenzel discloses a prosthetic device for holding golf clubs. The device includes an arm socket member which attaches to the upper arm and shoulder of an amputee. The arm socket member includes a threaded hole configured to receive a threaded shaft located at one end of a standard attachment for an arm socket member. The opposite end of the standard attachment has metal sleeves configured to receive the handle of a golf club.
These attachments are connected to a prosthesis which in turn is attached to the wearer's body through a complemental arrangement of body straps, and therefore tend to be bulky. Such attachments are not suitable for use with a field or ice hockey stick, because during such use a player typically carries the stick in one hand while running or skating. It is therefore desirable to provide an athletic equipment attachment which is quickly removably attached to the wearer's body. It is also desirable to provide an attachment which has an adjustable opening configured to receive the stump of a person's arm, so that the person may easily remove the stump from the opening and quickly reinsert the stump into the opening during play. It is further desirable to provide such an attachment which can be used with a variety of athletic equipment, including but not limited to field hockey sticks, ice hockey sticks, cricket bats and golf clubs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an attachment for athletic equipment or any type of non-athletic equipment. For example, the attachment is suitable for use with a variety of equipment, including field and ice hockey sticks, cricket bats, golf clubs, et cetera. The attachment includes an adjustable top end configured to snugly receive the stump of a wearer's arm while allowing the wearer to easily remove and reinsert the stump in a supported position within the top end of the attachment during use, and a bottom end configured to receive the handle of a piece of athletic equipment.
The attachment has medical applications as a rehabilitation device for amputees and persons with congenital birth defects. For example, the attachment could be used in connection with weights for therapeutic applications. The attachment can also be adapted for use with various tools for everyday activities, such as household implements (for example, brooms, mops, dusters, vacuums), construction implements (for example, hammers, wrenches and other tools, axes, paint brushes) and garden and landscaping implements (for example, rakes, shovels, picks, hoes, scythes, tree pruners) and any other hand-held implements.
Because the attachment has an adjustable top end and is not attached to the wearer's body, the wearer may quickly remove and reinsert his/her stump during use. This is particularly important in field hockey, ice hockey and cricket applications, where players typically hold their stick or bat in one hand while running down a field or skating across ice. This also provides a psychological benefit, because some handicapped persons may prefer not to wear conventional prosthetic devices, which tend to be bulky and awkward, particularly when used in combination with an attachment for athletic equipment.
According to a first embodiment of the invention, the attachment is removably attached at its bottom end to the handle of the athletic equipment so that it can be removed from the equipment for interchangeable use with other pieces of equipment. For example, where the attachment is used for playing golf, it can be easily removed and attached to different clubs when the player wishes to change clubs.
As discussed above, the attachment can also be removably or permanently attached to weights or other tools, such as household implements, construction implements, garden and landscaping implements and any other hand-held implements, for rehabilitative and everyday use.
According to a second embodiment of the invention, the attachment is permanently attached at its bottom end to the handle of the athletic equipment to provide added strength and stability during use. This is particularly desirable when the attachment is used with a golf club or hockey stick.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3186006 (1965-06-01), Miller
patent: 3490078 (1970-01-01), Perez, Jr.
patent: 3747128 (1973-07-01), DeFilipo
patent: 3802302 (1974-04-01), Bengtson
patent: 4009496 (1977-03-01), Allen, III
patent: 4661113 (1987-04-01), Adkins
patent: 5464444 (1995-11-01), Farguharson et al.
patent: 5728165 (1998-03-01), Brown, Sr.
patent: 5800572 (1998-09-01), Loveall
Jacobson Price Holman & Stern PLLC
Snow Bruce
LandOfFree
Athletic equipment attachment does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Athletic equipment attachment, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Athletic equipment attachment will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2437709