Patent Application
20190262686
This invention pertains to a device to strengthen a person's arm muscles through the utilization of a portable device including a handle portion and a weight component with the two components separated by a flexible rod. Such a device allows for the user to grip the handle portion and act as if they are throwing such a handle portion while the weight end moves along an arc defined through the length of the flexible rod. The resultant action is the generation of centripetal force along the defined arc with the reactive centrifugal force providing resistance to the user's arm muscles in a manner that is unique and heretofore unattainable through the utilization of a portable exercise device. The flexible rod component provides at least 10 inches (254 cm) of spacing between the handle portion (which may be in the form of a sphere, such as a baseball or softball, or a handle, or any other typical implement that a person may throw or swing) and the weight portion (which may be of any configuration to permit increase or decrease of the weight present thereon).
Training devices for muscle toning and/or developing, particularly for arm and shoulder muscles, have been provided in the past to varying degrees and myriad configurations. A plethora of such devices are stationary and unable to be easily transported by the user from one location to another. As such, these devices typically engender a weight system attached to a lifting mechanism provided within a rather large and bulky overall system. As well, other devices employ elastic cords and the like to provide resistance to a ball or like grip portion while a user moves the same in a pitching motion. Such devices, as well, do not include any manner of compensating for phenomena such as arc movement and centripetal forces as the stationary systems require a repetitive range of motions that rely upon the stationary basis of the device itself.
Over devices have allowed for free ranges of motions through their portability; however, such devices as well are limited in their allowance of the overall range of potential arc motions that are permitted. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,588, to DeLuca, provides a training device including a baseball gripping portion and an extension therefrom including a hammer component to allow for the user to act as if a ball is being thrown (without releasing such) and maneuvering the overall device to permit the arm muscles of the user to stress and resist in a unique pattern attuned to the movement of the hammer portion in relation to the user's arm movement. Such a device, however, is limited by the rigidity of the extension as well as the relatively short length of such an extension, thereby limiting the overall effect available for the user. Like devices have been proposed utilizing differing extensions (such as liquid containers, thereby permitting a different degree of momentum and torque on the throwing arm during use), but still relying upon a short, inflexible extension arm at best (such as, at most 2 inches, or 5.08 centimeters, in length from the ball or grip portion to the weight portion. Yet other devices accord a user the ability to swing a bat or racket with movable weights to different distances from the end point of the grip portion, but including a large and rigid extension portion between the grip and the weights. Such limited devices thus evince drawbacks as the possible muscle treatments that are available through their utilization. To the contrary, the inventive device provides a unique and novel manner of toning and developing a user's arm and shoulder muscles through a greater degree of centripetal (and reactive centrifugal) forces. To date, no other device in the industry allows for the same level of muscle treatments.
Thus, one distinct advantage of the inventive device is the ability to provide high torque levels during use through throwing motions in order to provide stresses and resistance to arm and shoulder muscles to a degree and in a manner that has not been provided through typical devices in the past. As well, another advantage of the inventive device is the capability of adjusting the grip portion to any desired type that is compatible with a user's own hand as well as the ability to adjust the type and overall configuration of the weight portion of such a training device on demand. An additional advantage of the inventive device is the increased torque on the user's muscles provided by the flexibility of the extension present between the grip and weight portions thereof at a minimum distance of 10 inches (25.4 centimeters). Furthermore, yet another advantage of the inventive device is the ability to transport such a device anywhere desired within a typical container for baseball (and other sport types) paraphernalia (such as a gym bag) and, if desired, the utilization of a telescoping flexible extension to allow for ease in transport as well as variability in overall available centripetal force generation on demand.
Accordingly, the invention encompasses an athletic training device including a grip portion of a suitable size and shape to allow a user to properly handle such a portion and implement a throwing motion thereof without releasing such a portion after such throwing motion has completed, a weight portion, and a flexible extension portion having a first end and a second end, wherein said flexible extension portion includes means for securely and releasably retaining said grip portion thereto at said first end and means for securely and releasably retaining said weight portion at said second end, wherein said flexible extension portion is a substantially straight rod that exhibits a maximum degree of flexural modulus of 750 mPa, and wherein the length of said flexible extension is from at least 10 inches (254 centimeters) to 3 feet (914.4 centimeters), and wherein said portion provides a weight of from 1.0 ounce (28.4 grams) to 40 ounces (1.13 kilograms). A method of athletic training utilizing the inventive device is encompassed within this invention as well.
In essence, the inventive device allows for muscle treatment through the generation of centripetal and reactive centrifugal forces through an exaggerated throwing motion, thus developing arm strength and flexibility while minimizing stress to the targeted muscle groups. The basic elements of the device are, as alluded to above, a flexible shaft of any length from about 10 inches to 3 feet and of any peripheral configuration (preferably cylindrical in shape, but a rhombus, triangle, or other geometric shape along the shaft axis may be utilized as well) and exhibiting a flexural modulus of at most 750 mPa provides the base component. Such a shaft (or rod, as an alternative description) is preferably a two-sided metal component with threads on either end or may be made from a flexible polymer (such as compressed nylon, polycarbonate, polyacrylic, polypropylene, high molecular weight polyethylene, and the like; the flexibility limitation is the determinative requirement, in essence) and having a diameter (or substantially uniform thickness along a standard axis, should a non-cylindrical shaft component be utilized) and including threaded ends to permit the introduction of a bolt or like attachment means. In such a manner, the ends of the shaft component may include the threaded portions integrated therein or, with flexible polymer types, may include metal caps that are permanently secured therein without possibility of disengagement without destruction to the overall structure of the shaft itself, wherein such metal caps further include suitable threaded portions of complementary depths and diameters to bolts as noted above. Thus, the flexible shaft components provide the potential for the user to secure the ends with suitable bolts or other locking means of complementary shape and size to such threaded portions. Such shafts, having two like ends of substantially similar diameters (or thicknesses), are thus to be introduced within the other two essential components of the inventive device, one being a grip portion that a user will be able to handle and maneuver in a throwing motion, and the other being a weight portion.
The grip portion may be any suitable shape or size implement that allows a user proper handling thereof and, as well, permit's the user to actually enact a throwing or swinging motion while handling such an implement and, preferably, without releasing such implement prior to, during, and subsequent to a throwing or swinging motion. Thus, the grip portion may be of any shape or configuration that meets such a requirement, including a sphere (including, baseballs, tennis balls, softballs, lacrosse balls, basically any sphere that may be gripped by a user), a closed loop handle, an open loop handle, a racket handle, and a football. The necessity, again, of such a grip portion is the ability of user to actually handle and accord a throwing or swinging motion thereto while the grip portion is attached to the flexible shaft. As well, the attachment of the grip portion to the flexible shaft is provided through the proper introduction of one end of the shaft through an opening or tunnel within the grip portion implement. A sphere will thus require a proper drilled opening straight through one side of the sphere, through the middle thereof and out the opposite side. The shaft should fit snugly therein the opening and/or tunnel such that little or no rotational movement of the grip portion should occur upon proper attachment through locking means securing the grip portion to the shaft. Additionally, a soft support structure should be employed on the shaft and present at the end opposite that to which the locking means (such as a bolt tightened within the threaded portion of the target shaft end to which the grip portion is introduced) attached. Such a support structure, such as a neoprene, styrene-butadiene, nitrile butadiene, or other like elastomeric material, is applied in relation to the opening in the grip portion that resides at that specific location. The support structure is of a diameter in excess of the shaft as well as the grip portion opening and is secured permanently to the shaft itself at that location. In such a manner, the grip portion will be held in place by both the support structure and the locking means to prevent unwanted movement along the length of the shaft during use. The soft material also aids in reducing any discomfort to the user during actual use of the device, particularly upon repetitive and/or oscillating movements of throwing motions. Spherical grip portions may be standard baseballs and softballs with the middle drilled through, as noted above, but with the outer portions intact for utilization as a throwing implement. The locking means may be a bolt that complements the threads of the flexible shaft and is properly recessed within the body of the grip portion to alleviate any possible discomfort or exaggerations in throwing for the user.
The grip portion, though, may be, as described above, any implement that may be attached to the flexible shaft through a suitable locking means in relation to the threaded ends and that accords the user the ability to enact a throwing or swinging motion as well. A closed handle may be employed with the shaft attached to the bottom edge of such a handle; an open handle with an attachment to a lower edge (and with the open end being a side portion thereof) may be utilized as well. A football-shaped implement or racket handle implement are other potential grip portion types for thus purpose as well.
The shaft, as noted above, is attached at its other end in a like manner to the grip portion as to a weight portion. Similar locking means would be utilized for end attachment thereto and the shaft may be introduced through the body of such a weight portion as for the grip portion for such a purpose. In actuality, the weight portion may be another sphere (of like or dissimilar size and weight to the grip portion, depending on the desires of the user) and the overall device may appear as a dumbbell-shaped apparatus with two spheres present on opposite ends thereof, although the device is not used as a weightlifting implement. The user may, in such an instance, switch being either end in terms choosing to exercise his or her throwing motion if two spherical ends are present. Otherwise, the device may utilize a sphere of different material from the grip portion sphere (and possibly of a configuration that removes portions thereof to accommodate different weights without removing and replacing the entire weight portion from the shaft itself). Likewise, the weight portion may be actual weights present thereon and attached either rigidly or in a manner that allows such weights to move up and down the shaft to the support structure present on the weight portion end thereof, in order to accord varying weight distributions on demand during use. Furthermore, a liquid container including varying levels of liquid may be utilized to accord similar weight distribution and inertia differences during use, if desired. Any number of possible scenarios are within the scope of the inventive device in terms of the weight portion present on one end of the flexible shaft itself. The important issue is the length of the shaft and the flexibility thereof that ultimately accords, during exercise and use thereof in the aforementioned throwing or swinging motion, exaggerated levels of torque to the user's arm and shoulder muscles to develop and flex such groups, while minimizing the overall stress on the joints, ligaments, and tendons in the same vicinity.
Additionally, then, since the user may be of any height and build, the overall length of the flexible shaft, allows for targeted levels of centripetal and reactive centrifugal forces to be generated on demand, particularly in relation to the weight present on that end of the flexible shaft during use. With a maximum weight of about 40 ounces generally considered proper to provide the best overall workout for a user in this type of activity, as well as to reduce any propensity for possible injuries to the user, or the possibility of harm to passersby during utilization, the length of the flexible shaft is of great importance to provide the targeted end results. A minimum length of 10 inches is required for the overall length of the shaft itself (and thus the overall length of the entire device, for the most part) in order to accord such desired and targeted muscle development and flexibility, with the maximum about 3 feet. Too long a device will result in difficulty for the user in actuality maneuvering the device without injuring himself or herself during use. Certainly, though, the taller the user, the longer the device may be to accord the user maximum benefit therefrom.
The device may be provided with multiple grip portions and weight portions, if desired. As well, differing flexible shaft portions may be provided to adjust the lengths thereof on demand. However, the device may also include a telescoping feature of the flexible shaft that allows for the user to set the length as desired with a compression nut (or like means). A two-part shaft component may be utilized in such a manner to allow for an inner, narrower diameter shaft component to nest and slide within a wider shaft component to nearly double the length of the narrower component itself upon full movement of the narrower shaft component to the extent it may exit the wider shaft component. The two shaft components would include stopping means to prevent removal of the narrower shaft component therefrom the wider shaft component (such as complementary end caps of metal or like strong material). In such a manner, again, the user may set the length of the flexible shaft portion to any length possible from that provided with such a telescoping component with every reliance on its stability during use to remain at the set length. Alternatively, though, the user may not set the locking means in place, thus allowing for the flexible shaft to move during use, thus imparting yet another manner of exercising the targeted muscle groups in a different fashion.
The device requires no one other than the athlete to use. It remains secure in the athlete's hand during use, thereby allowing a fast-paced, repetitive workout. By reducing the typical levels of strain generated from rapid acceleration and deceleration characteristics of pitching, this device is ideal for rehabilitation purposes. The device is portable, need not be tethered to any grounding surface, and can be used safely and easily both indoors and outdoors. This device is relatively simple in design, yet economical to manufacture and use.
The invention is best explained through the following drawings showing potentially preferred embodiments of the inventive device. In no way are such depictions intended to limit the scope of the device itself as the ordinarily skilled artisan should understand suitable alternatives thereto that fall within the breadth of the overall invention without having to provide every possible permutation thereof within this description.
As noted above,
Another manner of supplying the user with different manners of creating torque on the arm and shoulder muscles is through the replacement of the weight portion (28 of
As noted above, the flexible rod 16 may be of any desired length between 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) and 3 feet (133 centimeters). The taller the user, presumably the greater length will be desired in order to accord the greater degree of centripetal force in relation to the user's arm length. Although multiple rods of differing lengths may be employed, thus allowing the user to interchange not only the grip and weight portions thereof, but the rod extension as well,
An advantage of this invention is that the device does not require anyone other than the athlete to use. The device need not be tethered, anchored or fixed to any grounding structure. It is wholly hand-held, easily portable and useable either indoors or outdoors. On a pitching mound, the device allows an athlete to train under the same conditions as would be experienced in a game, thereby maximizing the development of muscular strength and coordination at “game speed”. The device remains in the athlete's hand during use thereby allowing a fast-paced, repetitive oscillating workout uninterrupted by having to stop for repeated thrown ball retrievals. Indoors, an athlete may use the device before a mirror or other reflective surface for better evaluating and rapidly correcting flaws in pitching technique.
The device can be used to warm-up an athlete's throwing arm and/or rehabilitate it with moderate effort. An athlete using this device can generate less acceleration on various elements of his/her muscular-skeletal structure to produce a lower impact workout, including one with a gradual, more benign deceleration than is typical in pitching a baseball. As such, use of this device should minimize or completely eliminate those shoulder and arm injuries normally associated with rapid deceleration by a fatigued athlete.
It is understood that the training and strengthening device of this invention can be employed for other training uses including throwing a football, a softball and/or serving a tennis ball. In some cases, alternative uses of the device may necessitate, or result in, changes to the embodiments described above. But all such changes are considered to be still within the scope of the present invention.
This application is a Continuation of copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/043,283, filed on Mar. 8, 2011, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/311,688, filed on Mar. 8, 2010, now expired. The entirety of both the parent and earlier provisional applications are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61311688 | Mar 2010 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13043283 | Mar 2011 | US |
| Child | 16405973 | US |
