Overhead Throwers Train Aid

Abstract

A device to create repeatability in the overhead throwing motion to support the arm speed used by baseball position players and baseball pitchers includes a ball with a towel attached at the apex of the ball. The towel is attached with a fastening bar and two fasteners.

Claims

1. An overhead throwers training device, comprising of a ball having a solid core, a surface and seams on the surface of the ball.

2. The training device according to claim 1, further comprising: a. A towel attached to a fastening bar by winding towel around fastening bar and sealing with an adhesive and fastening bar attached to the surface of the training device at the apex of the surface, not interfering with gripping the ball.

3. The overhead throwers training device according to claim 1, wherein the ball is a regulation baseball, or baseball of smaller size.

4. A training device according to claim 2, further comprising a target for placement at a distance based on a measurable distance relative to the user, wherein the target is configured to be struck with the furthest end of the towel.

5. The training device according to claim 2, wherein the towel does not interfere with gripping the ball.

6. A method of training, the method comprising: Providing a ball comprising a solid core, a surface and one or more seams on the surface of the ball; attaching a towel to the fastening bar, attaching a fastening bar to the surface of the ball, attaching a towel to the fastening bar, placing a target at a distance from the overhead thrower, gripping the ball, and striking the target with an end of the towel unattached to the fastening bar, wherein the attached fastening bar does not interfere with gripping the ball.

7. The method of training according to claim 6, the method further comprising: striking the target with an overhead throwing motion without letting go of the ball.

8. The method of training according to claim 7, the method further comprising: attaching the towel to the fastening bar by winding the towel around the fastening bar and sealing the towel to the fastening bar with an adhesive.

9. The method of training according to claim 8, wherein the ball is a baseball of regulation size or smaller.

10. The method of training according to claim 9, wherein the towel attached to the fastening bar does not interfere with gripping the ball.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] For a greater understanding of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the training device being held in the hand according to the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the components used to construct and attach the towel to the ball that comprise the training device according to the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the training device being used to simulate the overhead throwing motion used by baseball position players and pitchers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE DEVICE

[0028] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof and within which are shown by illustration specific embodiments by which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0029] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0030] In general, a training device 7 in accordance with the present invention is depicted in FIG. 1. Training device 7 includes a ball 6 with a small towel 3 attached to the surface of the ball 6.

[0031] FIG. 2 depicts the towel 3, fastening bar 4 and fastener 5. In accordance of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the towel 3 is attached to the fastening bar 4 and then fastened to the surface of the ball 6 with two fasteners 5.

[0032] FIG. 3 depicts the user simulating the overhead throwing motion used by baseball position players and baseball pitchers. The user strikes a target at a measurable distance relative to the user and strikes the target with the furthest end of the towel, thus simulating the overhead throwing motion without letting go of the ball.

[0033] The training device in accordance to the current invention, overcomes the flaw in the '106 device of having an object that has to pass between the fingers of the user restricting the grip of the ball, by fastening the towel at the apex of the ball keeping the towel out of the gripping area. Additionally the '106 device has breaks, or joints in its tethering device allowing for exaggerated lag in the tethering device, this additional lag does not represent the optimal throwing sequence resulting in poor feedback and repeating an inaccurate motion, this is overcome by using a solid material. Finally, both the '106 and '291 device use materials that potentially could become a projectile if dislodged or the ball was thrown by accident nor do they give any feedback when the correct throwing motion was attained, this is overcome by using s soft material that has no points, or surface that would become harmful if dislodged and can offer feedback by the sound of the towel hitting the target. The '291 device utilizes objects that are designed to slow the throwing arm down. The goal of this device is to offer resistance to the throwing arm thus slowing the arm down, doing nothing to condition the throwing arm to support and repeat arm speed this is overcome by using a solid material that dies not impede the ability to create arm speed. This flaw is particularly important, as arm speed and grip are vital elements of the optimal throwing motion for baseball position players and baseball pitchers.

[0034] Accordingly, there exists the need for a training device and method that can be utilized for training and conditioning the throwing arm to support arm speed. Such a device must be able to accurately simulate the proper techniques to make a mechanically sound throw, without effecting how the grip of the ball. In addition, there exists a need for a device and method that provides accurate feedback when the user has repeated the proper overhead throwers motion and achieved sufficient arm speed with the throwing arm. Finally there exists a need for a training device that will not become harmful if dislodged or thrown by accident. However, in view of the art considered as a whole at the time of the present invention was made, it was not obvious to those of ordinary skill in the field of this invention how the shortcomings of the prior art could be overcome.

[0035] The present invention may address one or more of the problems and deficiencies of the prior art discussed above. However, it is contemplated that the invention may also prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claimed invention should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed herein.

[0036] In this specification where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge, or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which this specification is concerned.

Glossary of the Claim Terms

[0037] Fastening bar—a device the small towel is fastened to, as well as to be fastened to the surface of the ball.

[0038] The ball—a ball having a solid core, a surface and seams on the surface of the ball.

[0039] The small towel—a device made of various types of fabrics.