TRAINING GLOVE

Abstract

A training glove having a hand covering with a first digit aperture and a second digit aperture. The first digit aperture is configured to at least partially cover a first metacarpophalangeal joint of a user's hand and the second digit aperture is configured to at least partially expose a second metacarpophalangeal joint of the user's hand. In some implementations, a palmar arch protrusion is located on a palm side of the hand covering, and a shot alignment indicator is located on a back side of the hand covering. The training glove can be used to improve a user's basketball shot.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to training gloves, and more particularly, to training gloves for basketball shooting.

BACKGROUND

There are many different forms of shooting a basketball. Young players can have differing styles that they learn either from trial and error or from coaches. The difficulty is having the same repeatable form to predictably make the shot. To be successful, shooting the ball from mid-range and from the three-point line has to be consistent and predictable. When watching very successful shooters, their shots are very similar each time. This is what muscle memory is about. Muscle memory is a neurological process that allows someone to remember certain motor skills and perform them without conscious effort. It can therefore be difficult to obtain muscle memory when each shot is a little different. What can help in this effort is having a form that is repeatable. Easily explaining the skeletal and muscular anatomy can help enforce this repeatability. An individual's anatomy can help assist in a more ideal mechanical shot.

The mechanics of an anatomical basketball shot involve the skeletal and muscular anatomy working together in unison instead of potentially against a player. The positive forces can help a player align the shot versus resisting mechanics, which should be eliminated as much as possible. This anatomical basketball shot starts at the wrist anatomy and ends in the shoulder alignment. When these factors are noted and accounted for, the shot can become more efficient, accurate, and creates a better practice session when the player is trying to get upwards of 200 shots a day. With proper drilling, this anatomical shot can be much more successful than just shooting an inefficient and potentially inaccurate shot 200 times.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, there is provided a training glove comprising a hand covering having a first digit aperture and a second digit aperture. The first digit aperture is configured to at least partially cover a first metacarpophalangeal joint of a user's hand. The second digit aperture is configured to at least partially expose a second metacarpophalangeal joint of the user's hand.

In various embodiments, the second digit aperture is configured to at least partially expose a third metacarpophalangeal joint of the user's hand.

In various embodiments, the hand covering has a back side and a palm side.

In various embodiments, a palmar arch protrusion is located on the palm side, and the palmar arch protrusion has a thickness that is greater than an adjacent portion of the palm side.

In various embodiments, a shot alignment indicator is located on the back side of the hand covering, and the shot alignment indicator is configured to position a back side of the hand covering with respect to a target.

In various embodiments, the first digit aperture is located in a thumb portion of the hand covering.

In various embodiments, the hand covering includes a first digit covering and a second digit covering, and the first digit covering and the second digit covering are configured to extend fully around digits of the user's hand.

In various embodiments, the first digit covering and the second digit covering include a plurality of ventilation holes.

In various embodiments, a prestressed portion is located between the first digit covering and the second digit covering.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a training glove comprising a hand covering having a back side and a palm side. A palmar arch protrusion is located on the palm side. The palmar arch protrusion has a thickness that is greater than an adjacent portion of the palm side.

In various embodiments, the palmar arch protrusion is shaped to at least partially follow a seam that at least partially delineates a primary palm portion and a thumb portion of the hand covering.

In various embodiments, the palmar arch protrusion is at least partially crescent shaped.

In various embodiments, the hand covering has a first digit aperture and a second digit aperture, and the first digit aperture is configured to at least partially cover a first metacarpophalangeal joint of a user's hand and the second digit aperture is configured to at least partially expose a second metacarpophalangeal joint of the user's hand.

In various embodiments, there is a shot alignment indicator on the back side, and the shot alignment indicator and the palmar arch protrusion are at least partially overlapping on opposite sides of the hand covering.

In various embodiments, the shot alignment indicator is configured to be at least partially aligned with a radial axis and the palmar arch protrusion is also at least partially aligned with the radial axis.

In accordance with another embodiment, there is provided a training glove comprising a hand covering having a back side and a palm side, with a digit aperture located at least partially between the back side and the palm side or in a thumb portion. A shot alignment indicator is located on the back side of the hand covering. The shot alignment indicator is configured to position the back side of the hand covering with respect to a target.

In various embodiments, the shot alignment indicator points at the digit aperture.

In various embodiments, the shot alignment indicator is an arrow.

In various embodiments, a longest extent of the shot alignment indicator is substantially orthogonal to a longest extent of the digit aperture.

In various embodiments, the shot alignment indicator is a post-shot alignment feature that indicates proper positioning of the user's hand after the user shoots a basketball at a basketball hoop.

It is contemplated than any of the above-listed features can be combined with any other feature or features of the above-described embodiments or the features described below and/or depicted in the drawings, except where there is an incompatibility of features.

DRAWINGS

Preferred example embodiments will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a palm-side view of a training glove according to one embodiment, with a partial cross-sectional inset view;

FIG. 2 is a back-side view of the training glove of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a palm-side view of the training glove of FIGS. 1 and 2 on a user's hand;

FIG. 4 is a back-side view of the training glove of FIGS. 1-3 on the user's hand in a pre-shot position;

FIG. 5 is another back-side view of the training glove of FIGS. 1-4 in a proper post-shot position; and

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway top view of the skeletal midsection of the user.

DESCRIPTION

The training glove shown and described herein can improve shot outcomes through increased sensory management to develop more anatomically correct and consistent positioning during the shot pattern. In some embodiments, the training glove has particularly configured digit apertures that expose selective portions of a user's hands to regulate the tactile experience of the user. A palmar arch protrusion may be included to help properly position a ball in the user's hand as well. In some embodiments, a shot indicator on the training glove can help provide a visual guide for proper positioning of a user's arm and wrist. The training glove is anatomically configured to promote a more consistent straight-shooting pattern.

The training glove can also improve the wrist portion of the shot. This will allow the shot to be more accurate. This transition can happen very quickly. The percentage of made shots can increase dramatically. The training glove itself does not make the shot for the player without proper drills and coaching to fix other problems with a potentially inaccurate shot. Some players already have the correct mechanics but most players at elementary and middle school level are still learning this. Along with strength training and good coaching, the training glove can be a great tool for the important years while more accurate shots are developed.

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an embodiment of the training glove 10. The training glove 10 has a hand covering 12 with a palm side 14 (FIG. 1) and a back side 16 (FIG. 2). The palm side 14 has a primary palm portion 18 that is configured to cover a user's palm, and the back side 16 has a primary back portion 20 configured to cover the back of the user's hand. The training glove 10 is primarily used as a basketball shooting aid, but it could be used in other training-based implementations, and features of which may be applicable to other sports and activities. Particularly with respect to basketball, the training glove 10 is configured to promote a more anatomically correct shot pattern that can be implemented more consistently. Additionally, the illustrated embodiment is for a right-handed shooter, but it should be understood that adaptations can be made to make the training glove 10 for a left-handed shooter as well.

In the illustrated embodiments, the training glove 10 includes a first digit aperture 22 and a second digit aperture 24. Additionally, there is a first digit covering 26 and a second digit covering 28. The first digit aperture 22 and the second digit aperture 24 are holes or openings in the hand covering 12 that allow all or a portion of the user's digit(s) to be exposed and have a more tactile sense of the ball, whereas the first digit covering 26 and the second digit covering 28 are configured to extend fully around digits of the user's hand.

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate the training glove 10 on a user's hand 30. The hand 30 typically includes a first digit (thumb) 32, a second digit (index finger) 34, a third digit (middle finger) 36, a fourth digit (ring finger) 38, and a fifth digit (little finger) 40. As shown, the first digit aperture 22 is located in a thumb portion 42 of the hand covering 12. The thumb portion 42 is demarcated from the palm side 14 with a thumb portion seam 44, and then the thumb portion 42 is bifurcated on the palm side 14 via a bifurcating stitch 46 that extends between the first digit aperture 22 and the thumb portion seam 44. The first digit aperture 22 is configured to allow for partial exposure of the first digit 32.

In this embodiment, as shown more particularly in FIG. 3, the thumb portion 42 and the first digit aperture 22 are configured such that a first metacarpophalangeal joint 48 of a user's hand 30 is fully covered by the glove 10, so only a portion of the first digit 32 is exposed. The first metacarpophalangeal joint 48, along with a second metacarpophalangeal joint 50, a third metacarpophalangeal joint 52, a fourth metacarpophalangeal joint 54, and a fifth metacarpophalangeal joint 55 are schematically illustrated to show their location on the user's hand 30. The metacarpophalangeal joints serve as the boundary or movable junction between each respective digit and the palm portion of the user's hand 30. More particularly, the first metacarpophalangeal joint 48 is located between a first metacarpal bone of the hand 30 and the proximal phalanx of the first metacarpal digit 32. The second metacarpophalangeal joint 50 is located between a second metacarpal bone of the hand 30 and the proximal phalanx of the second metacarpal digit 34. The third metacarpophalangeal joint 52 is located between a third metacarpal bone of the hand 30 and the proximal phalanx of the third metacarpal digit 36. The fourth metacarpophalangeal joint 54 is located between the fourth metacarpal bone of the hand 30 and the proximal phalanx of the fourth metacarpal digit 38. The fifth metacarpophalangeal joint 55 is located between a fifth metacarpal bone of the hand 30 and the proximal phalanx of the fifth metacarpal digit 40. The glove 10 is structured so as to not obstruct the second and third metacarpophalangeal joints 50, 52, thereby leaving the interdigital fold 57 exposed as well.

As schematically illustrated in FIG. 3, the second and third metacarpophalangeal joints 50, 52 end up having less mobility, at least partially because of a plane type joint structure 59, 61 at the carpometacarpal joints. This joint structure has more rigidity than the other joints, since they help to form the stable central column of the user's hand 30. The first, fourth, and fifth metacarpophalangeal joints 48, 54, 55 have more mobility given a saddle type joint structure 63, 65 at the carpometacarpal joints. This variation in joint structure helps to promote the grip functionality of the hand 30. In at least some embodiments, the training glove 10 is particularly configured to optimize the functionality of each of the joints 48, 50, 52, 54, 55. For example, as illustrated, the first digit aperture 22 (and thumb portion 42), the first digit covering 26, and the second digit covering 28 are configured to completely cover the first, fourth, and fifth metacarpophalangeal joints 48, 54, 55. The second digit aperture 24 is configured to leave the second and third metacarpophalangeal joints 50, 52 fully exposed. This can help add stability to the joints 48, 54, that are relatively more mobile, and leaves exposed the joints 50, 52 that are relatively more stable.

FIG. 4 shows, in phantom, the radius 56 and the ulna 58 of the user's arm 60. With a fully pronated arm 60 (the palm portion 18 facing away from the player and towards the basket), the radial axis 62 of the radius 56 is lined up with the second and third digits 34, 36. When lined up for a shot, these are the fingers that should be prioritized when applying pressure to shoot the ball 64. The fourth and fifth digits 38, 40 are more mobile, as described, and can thus cause misdirection of the shot. Since the second and third digits 34, 36 are far less mobile, they can direct the ball 64 much better. Accordingly, the first digit aperture 22 of the thumb portion 42 covers the first metacarpophalangeal joint 48 while leaving at least part of the first digit 32 exposed. The second digit aperture 24 leaves the second and third metacarpophalangeal joints 50, 52 and the second and third digits 34, 36 fully exposed. The first and second digit coverings 26, 28 serve to completely cover the fourth and fifth metacarpophalangeal joints 54 and the fourth and fifth digits 38, 40 on the palm side 14. This arrangement puts tactile pressure priority on the second and third digits 34, 36, thereby shifting concerns regarding the shooting pattern to more of a distance problem as opposed to left and right misdirection.

The training glove 10 helps promote strategic tactile sensation patterns by having the second and third digits 34, 36 free to feel the ball 64 while the fourth and fifth digits 38, 40 have less tactile sensation. Since the first and second digit coverings 26, 28 minimize tactile reference of the fourth and fifth digits 38, 40, respectively, tactile priority will be set to the second and third digits 34, 36 while shooting. As shown in FIG. 4, the metacarpals of the second and third digits 34, 36 are generally lined up with the radial axis 62, whereas the fourth and fifth digits 38, 40 are not. The stability of the second and third digit metacarpals can make the shot more accurate (e.g., this is why boxers hit with the knuckles of the second and third digits 34, 36 as opposed to the fourth and fifth digits 38, 40). The hinge of the shooting process is thus in the second and third digit metacarpals. When the shooter releases the ball 64 with the second and third digits 34, 36, the ball has a better chance of being aligned with the rim. If the shooter uses the fourth and fifth digits 38, 40 for the shot, there is more variability in the direction due to the joint 54 movement and the mal-aligned metacarpals. Exposure of the first, second, and third digits 32, 34, 36 for sensation can help the shooter stress the shooting pressure on these fingers, versus the fourth and fifth digits 38, 40 which can offset the shot to the left or right. Additionally, this configuration helps to expose the metacarpal heads of the second and third digits 34, 36 to improve sensation, and the coverings 26, 28 help to minimize sensation of the metacarpal heads of the fourth and fifth digits 38, 40.

Returning to FIG. 1, in some embodiments of the training glove 10, there may be a palmar arch protrusion 66. The palmar arch protrusion 66 is advantageously shaped to contour the thenar eminence of the user's hand 30, and helps to place the ball 64 higher in the palm instead of flat on the palm. This can help alleviate the pressure from the fourth digit 38 and the fifth digit 40 and focus the shooting pressure more towards the second and third digits 34, 36 by raising the ball away from the arch so that the ball is placed slightly more towards the digits. With reference to the inset in FIG. 1, it can be seen that the palmar arch protrusion 66 has a thickness T that is greater than the thickness of an adjacent portion 68 on the palm side 14 of the hand covering 12. The adjacent portion 68 may be located between the palmar arch protrusion 66 and the thumb portion 42, as well as on the opposite side. In this embodiment, the adjacent portion 68 completely surrounds the palmar arch protrusion 66, but in other embodiments, for example, the palmar arch protrusion may directly abut and contact the thumb portion 42. To create the thickness T, a separate pad may be attached to the hand covering 12, or the thickness of the material for the hand covering may be selectively increased in the area of the palmar arch protrusion 66. In other embodiments, an insert or the like may be included to increase the thickness T, such as using foam or padding in the area of the palmar arch protrusion. In an advantageous embodiment, the thickness T is about 2-5 mm greater than the thickness of the adjacent portion 68, and the palmar arch protrusion 66 takes up about 25-30% of an area of the primary palm portion 18. The size of the palmar arch protrusion 66 may vary depending on the size of the glove 10.

The shape of the palmar arch protrusion 66 is configured to anatomically mimic contours in the user's hand 30. As shown, in this embodiment, the palmar arch protrusion 66 has a crescent shape with a curved edge 70 and an oppositely oriented straight edge 72. The curved edge 70 is shaped to at least partially follow the curvature of the thumb portion seam 44 that delineates the primary palm portion 18 from the thumb portion 42 of the hand covering 12. This arrangement provides a more anatomically configured palmar arch protrusion 66 which can improve balance of the ball 64 within the user's hand 30.

The training glove 10 may also include a shot alignment indicator 74. The shot alignment indicator 74 in the illustrated embodiment is an arrow 76 having a point end 78 that is configured to point at a target or basket 80 after the user shoots (see e.g., FIG. 5). Other shapes and configurations for shot alignment indicator 74 are certainly possible, but advantageously, a longest extent L1 of the shot alignment indicator 74 is aligned along the radial axis 62 (see e.g., FIG. 2). Further, the longest extent L1 of the shot alignment indicator 74 is substantially orthogonal to a longest extent L2 of the second digit aperture 24 (substantially meaning+/−5° of being perfectly orthogonal). This shot alignment indicator 74 orientation can help with proper arm pronation and hand/wrist positioning during the shot.

The shot alignment indicator 74 can be a pre-shot alignment feature (FIG. 4) and/or a post-shot alignment feature (FIG. 5). When the player lines up pre-shot, the shot alignment indicator 74 is pointed up, but should generally be aligned with a center of the basketball hoop 80. After shooting, or post-shot, the point end 78 of the arrow 76 is pointed at the hoop 80 to indicate proper positioning of the user's hand 30, wrist, and arm 60. If, post-shot, the arrow 76 is pointed to the left of the hoop 80, the shot tends to go to the right or left since the player has their elbow too far from the midline (i.e., chicken wing). If, post-shot, the arrow 76 is pointed to the right of the hoop 80, this can also cause the shot to trend undesirably to the right or left. This pre-shot/post-shot alignment is improved by the fact that the shot alignment indicator 74 is configured to be aligned with the radial axis 62. Further, since the palmar arch protrusion 66 is at least partially aligned with the radial axis 62 as well, there is an overlap in position on either side 14, 16 of the glove 10 between the palmar arch protrusion and the shot alignment indicator 74, which can help with proper positioning of the ball 64 with respect to the user's hand 30.

With reference to FIG. 6, the training glove 10, and more particularly the shot indicator 74, can help with undesirable scapular anteversion angles. Typically, the shooter will shoot with their feet slightly rotated left and shoulders aligned slightly left, such that the arm 60 lines up with the scapula even more (e.g., rotating back towards the spine). FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway view showing a midsection of the user, with a clavicular angle A, an anteversion scapular angle B, and a retroversion scapular angle C (in FIG. 6, the top of the scapula and the clavicle is removed on the left-hand side of the midsection). Again, with the feet slightly rotated left and shoulders slightly aligned left, a desirable amount of scapular anteversion is about 30-45°. In such a position, the pectoralis muscle is in a less contracted position, which minimizes its influence on the shot. Pointing the shot alignment indicator 74 toward or at the hoop 80 can help maintain a satisfactory amount of scapular anteversion.

The training glove 10 may be made from any operable material, but advantageously, is made from a flexible material such as leather or a polyester spandex blend, to cite a few examples. Velcro or another attachment mechanism may be used to secure the glove 10 around the arm 60 or wrist of the user. A prestressed portion 82 may also be included between the first digit covering 26 and the second digit covering 28. The prestressed portion 82 helps stress the second digit covering 28 away from the first digit covering 26 to widen the space in-between and help hold the ball 64 in a more balanced fashion before the release phase of the shot. The amount of prestress may be about 2-3 cm, but is variable depending on the size of the glove 10. The prestressed portion 82 may be an area of less flexible material or configured with stitching, to cite a few examples. Additionally, the first and second digit coverings 26, 28 may have a plurality of ventilation holes 84 on the back side 16. Advantageously, the palm side 14 of the first and second digit coverings 26, 28 fully cover the digits 38, 40, without any ventilation holes 84 or other openings, to help minimize sensation. The ventilation holes 84 on the back side 16 can enhance breathability of the hand covering 12.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is not a definition of the invention, but is a description of one or more preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention. The invention is not limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed herein, but rather is defined solely by the claims below. Furthermore, the statements contained in the foregoing description relate to particular embodiments and are not to be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention or on the definition of terms used in the claims, except where a term or phrase is expressly defined above. Various other embodiments and various changes and modifications to the disclosed embodiment(s) will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such other embodiments, changes, and modifications are intended to come within the scope of the appended claims

As used in this specification and claims, the terms “for example,” “e.g.,” “for instance,” “such as,” and “like,” and the verbs “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and their other verb forms, when used in conjunction with a listing of one or more components or other items, are each to be construed as open-ended, meaning that that the listing is not to be considered as excluding other, additional components or items. Other terms are to be construed using their broadest reasonable meaning unless they are used in a context that requires a different interpretation. In addition, the term “and/or” is to be construed as an inclusive OR. Therefore, for example, the phrase “A, B, and/or C” is to be interpreted as covering all the following: “A”; “B”; “C”; “A and B”; “A and C”; “B and C”; and “A, B, and C.”

Claims

1. A training glove, comprising: a hand covering having a first digit aperture and a second digit aperture, wherein the first digit aperture is configured to at least partially cover a first metacarpophalangeal joint of a user's hand and the second digit aperture is configured to at least partially expose a second metacarpophalangeal joint of the user's hand.

2. The training glove of claim 1, wherein the second digit aperture is configured to at least partially expose a third metacarpophalangeal joint of the user's hand.

3. The training glove of claim 1, wherein the hand covering has a back side and a palm side.

4. The training glove of claim 3, wherein a palmar arch protrusion is located on the palm side, and the palmar arch protrusion has a thickness that is greater than an adjacent portion of the palm side.

5. The training glove of claim 3, comprising a shot alignment indicator located on the back side of the hand covering, wherein the shot alignment indicator is configured to position a back side of the hand covering with respect to a target.

6. The training glove of claim 1, wherein the first digit aperture is located in a thumb portion of the hand covering.

7. The training glove of claim 1, wherein the hand covering includes a first digit covering and a second digit covering, wherein the first digit covering and the second digit covering are configured to extend fully around digits of the user's hand.

8. The training glove of claim 7, wherein the first digit covering and the second digit covering include a plurality of ventilation holes.

9. The training glove of claim 7, comprising a prestressed portion between the first digit covering and the second digit covering.

10. A training glove, comprising: a hand covering having a back side and a palm side; anda palmar arch protrusion located on the palm side, wherein the palmar arch protrusion has a thickness that is greater than an adjacent portion of the palm side.

11. The training glove of claim 10, wherein the palmar arch protrusion is shaped to at least partially follow a seam that at least partially delineates a primary palm portion and a thumb portion of the hand covering.

12. The training glove of claim 10, wherein the palmar arch protrusion is at least partially crescent shaped.

13. The training glove of claim 10, wherein the hand covering has a first digit aperture and a second digit aperture, wherein the first digit aperture is configured to at least partially cover a first metacarpophalangeal joint of a user's hand and the second digit aperture is configured to at least partially expose a second metacarpophalangeal joint of the user's hand.

14. The training glove of claim 10, comprising a shot alignment indicator on the back side, wherein the shot alignment indicator and the palmar arch protrusion are at least partially overlapping on opposite sides of the hand covering.

15. The training glove of claim 14, wherein the shot alignment indicator is configured to be at least partially aligned with a radial axis and the palmar arch protrusion is also at least partially aligned with the radial axis.

16. A training glove, comprising: a hand covering having a back side and a palm side, with a digit aperture located at least partially between the back side and the palm side or in a thumb portion; anda shot alignment indicator located on the back side of the hand covering, wherein the shot alignment indicator is configured to position the back side of the hand covering with respect to a target.

17. The training glove of claim 16, wherein the shot alignment indicator points at the digit aperture.

18. The training glove of claim 17, wherein the shot alignment indicator is an arrow.

19. The training glove of claim 16, wherein a longest extent of the shot alignment indicator is substantially orthogonal to a longest extent of the digit aperture.

20. The training glove of claim 16, wherein the shot alignment indicator is a post-shot alignment feature that indicates proper positioning of the user's hand after the user shoots a basketball at a basketball hoop.