Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Practice or training device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-20
2001-08-07
Chapman, Jeanette (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...
Practice or training device
C473S422000, C473S461000, C473S277000, C473S207000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270430
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a sports training device, and in particular, to a body belt incorporating a resilient extendable element, for training hitting strokes with a sports implement.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The training of hitting strokes in stick sports requires the use of both hands. Normally, in a right-handed player, the right hand will push the stick forwards and the left hand will either control the stick or, in fact, pull the butt of the stick backwards.
This is particularly true in hockey where the hands are held far apart. It would also be true in other stick sports such as lacrosse. It is also useful in baseball and golf, and may be useful in other sports.
One of the problems in training persons to handle an implement such as a stick effectively is that the use of both hands is essentially an afterthought and is often ignored. One hand often simply does nothing more than steady the butt of the stick, without assisting in providing power to the hitting stroke.
It has been found that, in this form of power stroke, by using the left hand simultaneously with and coordinated with the right hand, greatly increased power and accuracy can be obtained as compared with using only one hand for the power and leaving the other hand more or less in a passive guiding function.
When using both hands the right (or lower) hand pushes the stick forward while the left (or upper) hand simultaneously pulls the butt backwards. The stick in effect pivots about a notional fulcrum located more or less between the hands. The invention is directed to providing a training device to speed up the learning of this process, effectively training the brain to do the right moves.
Even with sports where the implement is held only in one hand the invention will have application to train particular types of strokes
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With a view to providing a sports training device which is directed to the foregoing functions, the invention provides a training device which consists of a body belt adapted to be secured around the body, an extendable element attached to the belt, and an implement holder at the free end of the extendable element for securing a sports implement.
In another embodiment, the training device consists of a body belt which can be secured around the body, typically the waist and tightened up snugly, with adjustable buckles provided for the purpose. An elastic cord is attached to an adjustable length strap on the belt so that the fixed end of the elastic cord can be drawn snug against the body or eased off. The elastic cord passes through a slide, which typically is made of something such as a metal ring or plastic eye, and at the free end of the elastic cord there is attached an implement holder provided with some form of means whereby the holder can be secured around the implement or stick.
For hockey, the invention will enable the stick holder to be secured to the stick between the right and left hand positions on the stick. The use of an elastic cord permits the stick to be moved away from the body or drawn back again and allows a player to skate or run or move without obstruction from the elastic cord attached to the stick.
At the same time, the act of hitting will normally involve pushing the stick somewhat forwardly away from the body, and this will tension the elastic cord. This in turn will cause the muscles in both the right and the left arms to work simultaneously.
When a hitting stroke is made, the forward movement of the lower hand will naturally be complemented by a rearward pulling movement of the upper hand, thereby applying force from both hands to the stick, and achieving a stronger hitting stroke.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with more particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its use, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated and described preferred embodiments of the invention.
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Aryanpour Mitra
Chapman Jeanette
Ohlandt, Greeley, Riggiero, & Perle, L.L.P.
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