The present disclosure generally relates to a training apparatus for shooting a basketball and, more specifically, a wearable training apparatus for providing constant feedback while shooting a basketball.
In basketball, long range shots, such as a three-point field goal, are critical for winning a game. For many basketball players, improving field goal percentage is a daunting task, which requires many hours of dedication and practice. Further, in order to improve field goal percentage, players need to execute a consistent shooting motion. Therefore, there is a need for a training device that improves a player's shot by providing consistent feedback.
The appended claims define this application. The present disclosure summarizes aspects of the embodiments and should not be used to limit the claims. Other implementations are contemplated in accordance with the techniques described herein, as will be apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description, and these implementations are intended to be within the scope of this application.
Example training apparatus and method for assisting a person shooting a basketball are described herein. The training apparatus includes a first wearable member for being equipped on a person's arm, a loop for slidably fitting on the person's other arm, and a bridge for connecting the first wearable member and the loop.
The method includes equipping a first wearable member on a person's arm, slidably fitting a loop on the person's other arm, the loop being connected to the first wearable member via a bridge, adjusting a length of the bridge, and adjusting the positon of person's arms based on tension applied on the bridge.
For a better understanding of the invention, reference may be made to embodiments shown in the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and related elements may be omitted, or in some instances proportions may have been exaggerated, so as to emphasize and clearly illustrate the novel features described herein. In addition, system components can be variously arranged, as known in the art. Further, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
While the invention may be embodied in various forms, there are shown in the drawings, and will hereinafter be described, some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
In basketball, long range shots are essential for winning games. From 1980 to 2019, the average 3-point shot attempts per National Basketball Association (NBA) game have increased from approximately 2.8 to 30.7, thereby signifying the importance long range shots at professional levels. Statistics show that those among the professional basketball players having high field goal percentage generally follow a three-step shooting motion to execute a successful shot.
In this three-step shooting motion, it is critical that the upper arms remain parallel or substantially parallel to each other. This posture allows the players to release the ball vertically, thus ensuring improved accuracy of the shot. While this strategy is taught to many amateur basketball players, it requires constant observation and feedback from coaches. Further, in order for this motion to be effective at competitive levels, the amount of time for releasing the ball must be minimized. Perfecting the three-step shooting motion not only requires time but correct training that produces the same postures each time the shooting motion is executed. Therefore, there is a need in the art for training long range shots with constant feedback.
The first wearable member 210 may be a shooting sleeve. The first wearable member 210 may be shaped or roughly shaped as a cylinder. The first wearable member 210 may be worn by a user such that is covers the arm, completely or partially, from the wrist to the upper region of the arm that is proximate to the armpit/shoulder. The first wearable member 210 may be formed of an elastic material, completely or partially, such as a spandex or a blend of spandex and nylon. The first wearable member 210 defines a first opening 212 at one end thereof and a second opening 214 at the other end thereof. In certain embodiments, portions of the first wearable member 210 surrounding the first opening 212 and the second opening 214 may be reinforced with additional material and/or layer, providing thickness to ensure durability of the first wearable member 210. In certain embodiments, one or more inner surfaces of the first wearable member 210 may be lined with a non-slip fabric/material such that the first wearable member 210 maintains frictional connection with the arm even when the arm is exposed to moist environment (e.g., sweat, water, etc.). In certain embodiments, the first wearable member 210 may be shaped such that one end of the first wearable member 210 has a first width and one or more subsequent portions of the first wearable member 210 along the direction in which the first wearable member 210 extends (referred herein as longitudinal direction) have a width greater than the first width, such that first wearable member 210 is generally formed as a shape of a person's arm, thereby uniformly providing elasticity and flexibility throughout various regions of the person's arm and ensuring a comfortable fit. The first wearable member 210 includes a connection loop 216. The connection loop 216 is formed to loop 230 around the first wearable member 210. The connection loop 216 is defined in one half of the first wearable member 210 and proximate to the center of the first wearable member 210. As such, when the first wearable member 210 is equipped on a person's arm, the connection loop 216 is positioned on the upper arm proximate to the person's elbow. In certain embodiments, the connection loop 216 may be reinforced with additional material(s) and/or layer(s). Said material and/or layer may be formed of the same material as the first wearable member 210 or different material having different elasticity and/or flexibility. In certain embodiments, the connection loop 216 may be connected to the first wearable member 210 via stitching.
The bridge 220 connects the first wearable member 210 and the loop 230. The bridge 220 may be formed of an elastic material, completely or partially, such as a spandex or a blend of spandex and nylon. In certain embodiments, the bridge 220 includes a first strap 222 and a second strap 224. In such embodiments, one end of the first strap 222 is connected to the first wearable member 210, specifically, said end is connected to the connection loop 216. The bridge 220 may be connected to the connection loop 216 via stitching, thereby enhancing durability of the connection between the bridge 220 and the first wearable member 210. Further, since the bridge 220 is connected to the connection loop 216, when the bridge 220 is stretched, one or more portions of the first wearable member 210 having less reinforcement than the connection loop 216 (e.g., portions of the first wearable member 210 that are proximate to the connection loop 216) is minimally stretched, thereby improving the durability of the first wearable member 210. The other end of the first strap 222 may include a first male/female clip 226 that is connectable to its counterpart. One end of the second strap 224 includes a second male/female clip 227 connectable to the first clip 226 (i.e., the counterpart of the first clip 226). In the illustrated example, the first clip 226 and the second clip 227 are a side release buckle, however, it should be appreciated that the first clip 226 and the second clip 227 may alternatively be different type of clips, such as an adjustable band clip, a shielded side release buckle, etc. The first clip 226 or the second clip 227 may include a first adjustable element 225. The first adjustable element 225 may be a strap adjuster. The first adjustable element 225 may be used to adjust the length of the bridge 220, thereby adjusting the tension between the loop 230 and the first wearable member 210. In the illustrated embodiment, the first adjustable element is integrally connected to the second clip 227. In certain embodiments, an end of the first strap 222 or the second strap 224 may include a tail 228. In the illustrated embodiment, the end of the second strap 224 includes the tail 228. The tail 228 may be pulled in a certain direction with respect to the first or second clip such that the length of the bridge 220 is adjusted. For example, the tail may be pulled in a direction parallel to a direction in which the first adjustable element 225 and the second clip 227 are connected, thereby reducing the length of the bridge 220. In such example, the second strap 224 may be pulled in the same direction while the first adjustable element 225 and the second clip 227 are angled with respect to said direction, thereby increasing the length of the bridge 220. The end of the tail 228 may be reinforced with additional material and/or layer to limit the degree of the length at which the bridge 220 is increased. The tail 228 includes a strap loop 229 for slidably connecting to the first strap 222 or the second strap 224. The strap loop 229 functions to limit the degree in which the length of the bridge 220 is adjusted and prevent the tail 228 from flailing while the training apparatus 200 is in use. In the illustrated example, the strap loop 229 is slidably connected to the second strap 224. In certain embodiments, the first strap 222 or the second strap 224 may be shorter than the other such that the length at which the strap loop 229 is slidable on the first strap 222 or the second strap 224 is maximized. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, since the strap loop 229 is slidably connected to the second strap 224, the second strap 224 is longer than the first strap 222 to maximize the length at which the strap loop 229 is slidable on the second strap 224.
The loop 230 is connected to the other end of the second strap 224. The loop 230 may be formed of an elastic material, completely or partially, such as a spandex or a blend of spandex and nylon. The loop 230 may be integrally connected to the other end of the second portion. The loop 230 may be slidably fitted on a person's arm. The size of the loop 230 may correspond to a size of a person's arm, particularly, regions defined by the person's bicep/upper elbow. In certain embodiments, the loop 230 may include a second adjustable element (not illustrated) for adjusting the size of the loop 230. For example, the second adjustable element may be a strap adjuster. The loop 230 may be formed of same material and construction of the connection loop 216. In certain examples, the loop 230 may be designed to have the same or substantially the same flexibility and or elasticity as the connection loop 216.
As mentioned above, the connection loop 216 may be reinforced with additional material(s) and/or layer(s). Further, regions of the first wearable member 210 other than the connection loop 216 may be thinner than the connection loop 216. This ensures that the first wearable member 210 maximizes breathability and comfort while providing durable connection between the bridge 220 and the connection loop 216.
In certain embodiments, the training apparatus 200 may further include a second wearable member 240. The second wearable may be a shooting sleeve. The second wearable may be the same or substantially the same as the first wearable member 210. Therefore, detail 228s thereof will not be described herein for brevity. The loop 230 may be slidably inserted into the second wearable member 240. In certain embodiments, the second wearable member 240 and the loop 230 may be formed of material having low friction, thereby guaranteeing a certain degree of freedom of movement between the second wearable member 240 and the loop 230 when a shooting motion is executed. The second wearable member 240 may be a generic shooting sleeve.
At block 502, the first wearable member 210 is equipped on the shooting arm.
At block 504, the second wearable member 240 is equipped on the guiding arm.
At block 506, the loop 230 is slidably fitted over the guiding arm. The loop 230 is preferably positioned on the upper arm proximate to the elbow.
At block 508, the length of the bridge 220 is adjusted using the first adjustable element 225. If the bridge 220 is disconnected, it may be connected at this block, however, it should be appreciated that the bridge 220 may be connected at any point in time prior to this block.
At block 510, a user executes the shooting motion, preferably, the shooting motion as described with respect to
In this application, the use of the disjunctive is intended to include the conjunctive. The use of definite or indefinite articles is not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to “the” object or “a” and “an” object is intended to denote also one of a possible plurality of such objects. Further, the conjunction “or” may be used to convey features that are simultaneously present instead of mutually exclusive alternatives. In other words, the conjunction “or” should be understood to include “and/or”. As used here, the terms “module” and “unit” refer to hardware with circuitry to provide communication, control and/or monitoring capabilities, often in conjunction with sensors. “Modules” and “units” may also include firmware that executes on the circuitry. The terms “includes,” “including,” and “include” are inclusive and have the same scope as “comprises,” “comprising,” and “comprise” respectively.
The above-described embodiments, and particularly any “preferred” embodiments, are possible examples of implementations and merely set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without substantially departing from the spirit and principles of the techniques described herein. All modifications are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
5005833 | Groveman | Apr 1991 | A |
5938548 | Upshaw | Aug 1999 | A |
6196931 | Wilt | Mar 2001 | B1 |
8968121 | Leggett | Mar 2015 | B2 |
9687716 | George | Jun 2017 | B2 |
20120190483 | Grover | Jul 2012 | A1 |
20140315666 | Medley | Oct 2014 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20210023429 A1 | Jan 2021 | US |