Abstract
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 is provided. 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 1 foot (100 cm) of spacing between the handle portion and the weight portion.
Claims
1. A method of athletic, rehabilitation, and/or therapeutic exercising of a user's arm and shoulder muscles utilizing an athletic training device including a 1) a spherical hand-held grip portion of a suitable size and shape to allow a user to properly handle such a grip portion and implement a throwing motion of the entire training device without releasing such a grip portion after such throwing motion has completed; 2) a spherical weight portion; and 3) a flexible rod portion having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end of said rod portion is attached directly to said grip portion and said second end leads to said weight portion, wherein the length of said rod portion is from at least 10 inches (25.4 centimeters) to 4 feet (121.92 centimeters), wherein said weight portion provides a weight of from 1.0 ounce (28.4 grams) to 40 ounces (1.33 kilograms); said method employing the steps of: a) handling said spherical grip portion of said device and b) undertaking a throwing motion thereof including the phases of ready-position, stride, pitch, and follow-through, thus allowing for the weight portion to move in an arc in relation to the movement of the grip portion during such phases, and thereby effectuating the user's arm to follow a similar arc path as a result; and wherein said user retains said device during said undertaking of said throwing motion.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the inventive device utilizing a baseball-shaped handle portion and a spherical weight portion.
(2) FIG. 2 is a side view of another embodiment of the inventive device utilizing an open grip handle portion.
(3) FIG. 3 is a side view of another embodiment of the inventive device of FIG. 1 utilizing a plurality of discs for the weight portion.
(4) FIG. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of the inventive device of FIG. 1 utilizing a spherical weight portion having removable components for weight differentiation.
(5) FIG. 5 is a side view of another embodiment of the inventive device of FIG. 1 utilizing a liquid holding component as the weight portion.
(6) FIG. 6 is a side view of another embodiment of the inventive device of FIG. 1 utilizing a softball-shaped grip portion with a wrist attachment implement.
(7) FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C provide side views of another embodiment of the inventive device of FIG. 1 utilizing a telescoping flexible rod portion to adjust the space lengths between the handle and weight portions on demand each in differing graduated extended lengths.
(8) FIG. 8A through D are diagrammatic perspective views of an athlete using the inventive device, showing various phases of a complete pitching motion which are, in order: the ready-position (8A), stride (8B), delivery (8C) and follow-through (8D).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
(9) 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.
(10) As noted above, FIG. 1 shows a side view of the overall device 10 including a spherical grip portion 12 (here a regulation size baseball) through which a first end 14 of a flexible rod 16 (here shown at an overall length of 18 inches, or about 45 centimeters) is present within a tunnel 18 created therein with an inner opening 20 and an outer opening 22. The flexible rod 16 is cylindrical in shape in this instance with a diameter of 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) and is made of compressed nylon strands to provide a suitable flexural modulus to permit the rod 16 to flex during application of torque through a throwing motion, as described below. A bolt 24 secures the sphere 12 onto the first 14 through screwing into a threaded portion (not illustrated) of the flexible rod 16. A soft support structure 26 is present just outside of the inner opening 20 of the sphere 12 and is permanently attached to the flexible rod 16 at that exact location in order to provide support to the grip portion 12 and, in conjunction with the bolt 24, prevent any appreciable movement of the sphere 12 around the axis of the flexible rod 16 during use. As well, the support structure 26, prevents further movement of the sphere 12 inwardly along the axis of the flexible rod 16, thus retaining the spherical grip portion 12 in place at the first end 14 of the rod 16. A weight portion 28 (here, a second sphere, which may also act as a grip portion with the other sphere acting as the weight portion, being a regulation-size softball for male hitters) is present on a second end 30 of the flexible rod 16. A tunnel 32 is present on this weight portion 28 as well to allow for the rod 16 to enter and exit the spherical weight 28 in the same manner as that for the spherical grip portion 12 through an inner opening 34 and an outer opening 36. A bolt 38 provides a secure and releasable attachment of the weight portion 28 to the rod 16 at the outer opening 36, and a second structural support 36 is present as well in contact with the inner opening 34 to provide the same basic benefits and functions as the support structure 36 for the spherical grip portion 12, above. As such, the grip portion 12 and/or the weight portion 28 may be easily removed and replaced through the removal of either or both of the bolts 24, 38 from the target grip 12 and/or weight 28 portions on demand by the user. The preferable manner of attaching the replacement portions 12, 28 to the flexible rod 16 is through the same type of introduction of the rod ends 14, 30 through a properly configured, straight opening with the target grip portion and/or weight portion replacement, with the securing thereof by the same or similar bolts 24, 38. As noted from these drawings, the resultant device 10 is substantially configured along the axis of the flexible rod 16 with a certain level of sag allowed due to said flexibility of the extension rod 16 in relation to the weight of the grip portion 12 on one end 14 as well as the overall weight of the weight portion 28 on the second end 28, thereof. The overall length of the entire device is roughly 18 inches (roughly 45 centimeters) with a small amount of excess to the overall length of the rod 16 due to the outer peripheries of the bolts 24, 38 present and attached to the ends 14, 30 thereof. The user would grip the desired grip portion 12 (again, in this embedment a regulation size baseball) and make a throwing motion therewith while starting with the weight portion 28 present behind his or her back. The device would then be propelled through the arc created due to the centripetal force of the user's arm movements with the resultant reactive centrifugal force creating a degree of torque on the user's muscles as he or she carries through with the typical stride, delivery, and follow-through movements associated with the throwing motion itself (as shown in FIGS. 8A through 8D). The user would keep his or her grip on the grip portion 12 and the weight portion 28 would create a unique inertial sensation through such centrifugal forces such as to require the user to increase muscle contractions and stresses at certain locations in his or her shoulder, biceps, triceps, and forearms (if not wrists as well) to compensate for the exaggerated torque generated from such a device while in use. Repetitive motion in the same manner thus allows for continual muscle contractions, etc., so as to break down muscles in discrete areas of the arm and shoulder in order to eventually allow for muscle toning and build up in such previously unappreciated regions. FIGS. 2 through 7 provide various alternatives to the replacement portions 12, 28, in order to allow the user the ability to access different grips and different weight possibilities to further enhance such a workout regimen and further strengthen the overall arm and shoulder areas to levels heretofore unseen. The bolts 24, 38 are preferably recessed, however, within the grip 12 and weight 28 portions thereof to permit close simulation to an actual baseball or softball and to relieve any possible discomfort to the user as possible.
(11) FIG. 2 replaces the baseball grip portion (12 of FIG. 1) with a closed loop handle 40 that includes an outer portion 42, two parallel side portions 44, 46 and a bottom portion 48 to which the bolt 38 is attached to the end 30 of the rod 16. A proper opening 50 is provided within the bottom portion 48 for this purpose, thus creating a secure manner of attaching such a handle. As noted above, a handle that is attached as a racket grip simulator may be utilized as well in this manner, thus aligning with the axis of the flexible rod 16 and attaching thereto in a like manner. The handle 40 actually increases the overall length of the device 10A roughly 3 inches (about 7.6 centimeters) due to the attachment point of the bolt 38 at the bottom portion 50 thereof. In this manner, the user would undertake a similar motion as for the baseball grip (12 of FIG. 1; or alternatively, as alluded to above, for the softball grip, if desired) but without the same grip applied thereto. is a side view of another embodiment of the inventive device utilizing an open grip handle portion.
(12) FIG. 3 thus replaces the spherical weight portion 28 of FIG. 1 with a plurality of weight discs 52, 54 instead. In this manner, the user may adjust the weight distribution from a spherical type (28 of FIG. 1) to such flat discs 52, 54 on demand. The bolt 30 would provide the necessary attachment to prevent unwanted disengagement therefrom. As well, the support structure 34 would prevent unwanted movement toward the user during utilization thereof, thus permitting, if desired, free movement of such weight discs 52, 54 along the axis of the rod 16 within the space between the bolt 30 and the support structure 30, thus creating further inertial distortions and different torque results on the user's muscles. However, if a sufficient number of weight discs 52, 54 are present to fill the entire space between the bolt 24 (being present at the second end 42 of the rod 16) and the support structure 34, then a substantially non-moving weight portion with discs 52, 54 would be provided for yet another type of workout.
(13) FIG. 4 provides yet another alternative to the weight portion (28 of FIG. 1, for instance) in that a spherical weight 58 may be attached as for the spherical weight portion of FIG. 1 (28), but with removable weight portions built therein 60, 62, 64, 66, 68. Thus, the spherical weight 58 has a base member 60 that is in essence a disc itself and through which the flexible rod 16 is introduced and the bolt 38 and the structure support 34 are present as for the spherical weight portion of FIG. 1 (28), and weighing approximately 12 ounces on its own, whereas uniform smaller discs 62, 64 fit above and below such a base 60 and weighing 10 ounces apiece, and attachable through any suitable means (here a strong magnet provides one potentially preferred manner of doing so) such that a user may employ throwing motions without disengaging such smaller discs 62, 64 from the base member 60 (for safety purposes, primarily). Even smaller weights 66, 68 that comport a top curved outline to form the spherical shape of the weight portion 58 upon attachment thereof to the smaller discs 62, 64 and weighing approximately 5 ounces apiece, may be attached in similar manner to provide a heavier weight portion 58 as well. In essence, it is possible to provide such weights that may include removable portions on demand for the user to experience differing degrees of torque during use, if desired. The removal such weight components 62, 64, 66, 68 may be performed with any components removed as desired by the user, thus allowing for non-uniform weights on either side of the axis of the flexible rod 16, thus, again, providing the user with a unique manner of toning muscles in various ways and to varying degrees.
(14) 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 FIG. 1) with a bottle 70 including any amount liquid 72 up to its capacity, as shown in FIG. 5. The flexible rod 16 may be introduced through the entire bottle 70, if desired with the bolt 28 attached outside thereof. A suitable rubber seal is present at each opening in the bottle 74, 76 through which the rod 16 enters and exits in order to reduce any leakage therefrom during use. The level of liquid 72 may be adjusted, as noted above, and thus may provide differing torque levels during utilization, if desired, by the user.
(15) FIG. 6 shows yet another potentially preferred embodiment wherein the grip portion 78 (here a softball through which the rod 16 is introduced and attached as above) with a loop wrist attachment 80 to allow for safety measures to be in place in case the user loses his or her grip during actual use thereof. The attachment 80 allows for the user to enter his or her wrist therein and the to then slide the smaller enclosing loop 82 over the attachment 80 until the smaller loop 82 abuts the user's wrist (not illustrated). In this manner, the wrist attachment 80 substantially prevents the device from escaping the user's person, regardless if the user loses grip on the grip portion 78 itself during use.
(16) 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, FIGS. 7A through 7C provide another possible embodiment of the device of FIG. 1, but with a telescoping rod 88, rather than one with a set, permanent length. Such a rod 88 has two interlocking shafts configured with the narrower one 90 nested in slidable relation within the other 92. A compression nut 94 is present on the outside of the wider shaft that allows for tightening and releasing of thereof on demand by the user. The overall length of the fully opened telescoping rod 88 is a function of slightly less than twice the length of the narrower shaft 90. Here, for example, is a side view of another embodiment of the inventive device of FIG. 1 utilizing a telescoping flexible rod portion to adjust the space lengths between the handle and weight portions on demand. Thus, FIG. 7A shows the rod 88 at its shortest length with the narrower shaft 90 fully nested within the wider shaft 92 and the compression nut 94 tightened in place so as not to allow the rod 88 to extend during use. FIG. 7B shows the narrower shaft 90 partially nested at roughly the mid-point of the greatest distance at which the rod 88 may extend in such a manner; FIG. 7C shows the furthest extent the rod 88 may extend. An internal end cap (not illustrated) is present on the outer end of the narrower shaft 90 present within the wider shaft 92 and of a shape and size that prevents the narrower shaft 90 from escaping the wider shaft 92 at any time (unless the user actually destroys the rod 88 itself). The wider shaft 92 includes a metal cap 96 on its internal end 98 that runs the periphery of the internal end 98 and is the proper shape and size to prevent the internal cap (not illustrated) of the narrower shaft 90 to pass (as noted above). Thus, if desired, the user may actually disengage the compression nut 94 if desired to allow for free movement of the rod 88 in telescoping motion to provide yet another manner of throwing motion with a vastly different result from any prior device.
(17) FIG. 8A through D are diagrammatic perspective views of an athlete using the inventive device of FIG. 1 (and correlating to all such devices discussed herein), showing various phases of a complete pitching motion which are, in order: the ready-position (8A), stride (8B), delivery (8C) and follow-through (8D).
(18) 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.
(19) 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.
(20) 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.
