Throwing trainer and method

Abstract

This invention is an apparatus and method of training an athlete to properly throw a ball utilizing proper arm and elbow position by providing a device that attaches to the athlete's waist and has a semi-rigid guide rod extending up from the waist toward the shoulders such that it is positioned to contact the athlete's arm or elbow during the throwing motion once the arm or elbow is moved back into the ideal position, thus providing a tactile signal when the ideal position is reached thereby allowing the athlete to continually train and develop muscle memory of the proper throwing position.

Claims

1. An assembly for pitch training, comprising: a garment engaging clip; a mount extending from the clip and selectively engageable therewith, wherein a gap is defined between the clip and the mount for receiving a belt or waist band worn around a waist of a pitcher; and a support bar extending from the mount and selectively positionable such that a height of an end of the support bar can be adjusted, and an angle of the support bar relative to the mount can be adjusted, wherein, in use, the end of the support bar is adjusted such that an arm of the pitcher abuts an end of the support bar during motion.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the mount is selectively engaged with the garment engaging clip.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the support bar is rotatably pivoted within the mount in order to adjust the height of the support bar.

4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the support bar defines a rod with a cap that defines an enlarged circumference compared to the rod, the cap defining an arcuate upper surface.

5. A method for pitch training, the method comprising: attaching a belt engaging clip with a garment positioned about a waist of a pitcher, wherein the belt engaging clip is engaged about a belt or waist band on a hand dominant side of the pitcher; extending a support bar from a mount that is engaged with the garment engaging clip, wherein the support bar is selectively positionable such that a height of an end of the support bar can be adjusted, and an angle of the support bar relative to the mount can be adjusted; initiating a pitching motion where the pitcher throws the ball; adjusting a height of the support bar such that an arm of the pitcher clears an end of the support bar during the pitching motion.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the mount is selectively engaged with the garment engaging clip.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the support bar is rotatably pivoted within the mount in order to adjust the height of the support bar.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the support bar defines a rod with a cap that defines an enlarged circumference compared to the rod, the cap defining an arcuate upper surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

(1) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the clamp unit portion of Applicant's invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a front view of the clamp unit portion of Applicant's invention.

(3) FIG. 3 is a rear view of the support unit portion of Applicant's invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the support unit portion of Applicant's invention.

(5) FIG. 5 is a side view of a preferred embodiment of Applicant's invention.

(6) FIG. 6 is a side view of the base unit and end of the guide rod of Applicant's invention.

(7) FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the base unit and guide rod of Applicant's invention.

(8) FIG. 8 is a perspective view of Applicant's invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) Referring now to FIG. 1 which is a perspective view of the clamp unit 10 of Applicant's invention. The clamp unit 10 is comprised of a clamp top 12 and a clamp bottom 14 rotatably attached together such that the clamp top 12 and clamp bottom 14 can form a clamping device to secure to a belt, shirt, or other item of clothing not shown. The clamp top 12 portion is comprised of a top right edge, 16 a top left edge 18 opposite from and parallel to the top right edge 16 separated by a top front edge 20 and a top back edge 22. The top front edge 20 and the top back edge 22 are opposite and parallel to each other such that the shape of the clamp top 12 is generally rectangular. The clamp top 12 further consists of a top inner surface 26 and a top outer surface which define the area between the top right edge 16 top left edge 18 top front edge 20 and top back edge 22 The top inner surface is 24 intended to exert pressure against belt, piece of clothing, or other material upon which the clamp unit 10 is placed.

(10) The clamp bottom 14 comprises a bottom right edge 28 a bottom left edge 30 a bottom front edge 32 and a bottom back edge 31 defining an area between said edges consisting of a bottom inner surface 36 and a bottom outer surface 38 The bottom inner surface 36 is intended to exert pressure against a belt, piece of clothing, or other item upon which the clamp unit 10 is exerting pressure and is designed to oppose the pressure exerted by the clamp top. 12

(11) The clamp top 12 further consists of an indentation 40 in the top inner surface 24 designed to accommodate a user's finger and facilitate opening the clamp unit 10 during use. The top inner surface 24 in a preferred embodiment, has teeth 42 designed to securely grip a belt, piece of clothing, or other item upon which the clamp unit 10 is affixed. In a preferred embodiment, the clamp top 12 is fixed to the clamp bottom 14 by means of a spring 44 The spring 44 is attached to the top back edge 22 of the clamp top and the bottom back edge 34 of the clamp bottom 14 such that the spring 44 exerts force on the top back edge 22 and the bottom back edge 34 to create the clamping force necessary to attach the clamp unit 10 to a belt or piece of clothing upon which the clamp unit 10 is placed. It should be recognized by those skilled in the art that other means of adjoining the clamp top 12 to the clamp bottom 14 is possible, and references to a spring 44 are not meant to be limiting, but rather as a description of the preferred embodiment of Applicant's invention.

(12) Referring now to FIG. 2 which is a front view of the clamp unit 10 showing the clamp bottom 14 with a cavity 46. The clamp bottom 14 is manufactured to contain a cavity 46 designed to accept an accompanying protrusion, similar to male/female clips and other conventional means of attachment. The cavity 46 is formed in the bottom outer surface of 38 the clamp bottom 14 and defined by a first side 48 a second side 50 and a third side which combine to form an open area on the bottom outer surface. The first side is configured to meet the second side at approximately a 90 angle, and the second side 50 is configured to meet the third side 52 at approximately a 90 angle such that the first side 48 and the third side 52 are substantially parallel to each other and form the cavity 46 in the bottom outer surface. 38 The first side 48 is further configured to define a first side channel 50 running between the first side 48 and the cavity bottom 54 and the third side 52 is configured to have a third side channel 56 such that the third side channel 56 is substantially parallel to the first side channel. 50 It should be appreciated that the first side 48 second side 50 and third side 52 define the cavity 46 and cavity bottom 54 in the bottom outer surface 38 of the clamp bottom 14. The cavity 46 in the bottom outer surface 38 has only three sides and is open on one side such that a corresponding protrusion 48 may be inserted and securely held by the cavity 46 in the clamp bottom. 14

(13) Referring now to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 which are a rear view of the support unit and a perspective view of the support unit portion of Applicant's invention showing the support unit 58 of Applicant's invention. The support unit 58 consists of a base 60 cone 62 and cylindrical tube 64. The base 60 is made up of the base top 66 base bottom 68 base front 70 base back 72 base right edge 74 and base left edge 76 all of which combine to form a generally rectangular base 60 of the support unit. 58 The base bottom 68 is manufactured to include a protrusion 48 extending from the base bottom 68 outwardly away from the base top 66 The protrusion 48 is generally configured in a rectangular shape and has a right lip 78 and a left lip 80 on opposite sides extending over and parallel to the base bottom. 68 Both the right lip 78 and left lip 80 are designed to be substantially the correct size for insertion into the clamp bottom 14 into the cavity 46 wherein the right lip 78 corresponds in size to the first side channel 50 and the left lip 80 corresponds in size to the third side channel. 56 Thus, when the protrusion 48 is slidingly engaged into the cavity 46 it is retained by the frictional forces exerted by the right lip 78 and left lip 80 engaging the first side channel 50 and the third side channel 56 Further, the protrusion top 82 is pressed firmly against the cavity bottom 54 such that it is maintained in position by frictional forces.

(14) The support unit 58 is further configured to have a cone 62 extending outwardly from the base top 66 such that the larger end of the cone abuts the base top 66 and extends upwardly as it narrows forming the shape of a cone. The cone 62 is configured with a cylindrical tube 64 extending off of the top end of the cone. 62 The cylindrical tube 64 extends upwardly from the cone 62 and defines an opening at 84 the end opposite from the base 60 such that a guide rod 86 may be inserted into the opening. 84 The cylindrical tube 64 extending from the cone 62 is further constructed to contain hole 88 through which a screw not shown, pin not shown or other retention device will engage with the guide rod 86 securing it in the cylindrical tube 64 and thereby attaching it to the support unit 58 It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the cylindrical tube 64 need not have a secure fastener, and that it could be manufactured to be integral to a guide rod 86 thereby eliminating the need for additional attachment pieces. It is contemplated that the support unit 58 can be removed from the clamp unit 10 by pulling in an upward direction, and separately the protrusion 48 from the cavity 46. Further, it is contemplated that the support unit 58 can be securely affixed to the clamp unit 10 by inserting the protrusion 48 into the cavity 46 such that the right lip 78 and left lip 80 engage the first side channel 50 and the third side channel 56 to secure the support unit 58 to the clamp unit 10.

(15) Referring now to FIG. 5 which is a side view of a preferred embodiment of Applicant's invention, one can see the third piece of Applicant's invention that consists of a guide rod 86 designed such that it will slidingly engage through the opening 84 in the cylindrical tube 64 and thus be attached to the support unit 58 and extend outwardly therefrom. In a preferred embodiment, the guide rod 86 is composed of a semi rigid plastic or other material allowing the guide rod 86 to be bent into a desired configuration yet retain enough rigidity to maintain its configuration once it is bent in the desired manner. The guide rod 86 can be of any length desired by the user, however it must be of sufficient length to extend upwardly from the support unit 58 to at least a sufficient height to allow the athlete to engage the guide rod 86 with his arm or elbow. Further the guide rod 86 is designed to be extended outwardly from the support unit 58 such that it forms a V-shape with the athlete's back. The guide rod 86 is configured with a tip 90 on the end opposite from the support unit 58 wherein such tip 90 is adapted to receive a cap 92 or other coating to prevent injury or damage to an athlete's clothing. It should further be noted that the guide rod 86 can be adapted to receive coatings, a covering, or other adaptations to prevent chafing or rubbing against either the athlete or the athlete's clothing during use.

(16) Referring now to FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG. 8, another embodiment of Applicant's invention is shown. In these figures, a base unit 94 is shown configured to receive a guide rod 86. The base unit 94 is configured with a clip 96 adapted to secured to an athlete's belt or clothing.

(17) Operation and detailed description of the training method.

(18) Applicant's invention includes a method for training an athlete to properly throw a ball. The method includes an athlete attaching the clamp unit 10 to his belt and attaching the support unit 58 and guide rod 86 to the clamp unit 10 The athlete adjusts the guide rod to extend in the proper direction behind athlete such that when the athlete lifts his arm to throw ball, the guide rod 86 will contact the athlete's arm at the point at which the arm is parallel to the plane defined by the athlete's shoulders. Once the guide rod 86 is set in this position, the athlete proceeds to practice throwing the ball. During the athlete's practice, if the athlete extends his arm too far behind his shoulders, his arm will contact the guide rod 86 and present the athlete with a tactile signal that his arm is too far back and in an improper position. By repeating the throwing exercise, the athlete will soon learn how far back he can extend his arm before contacting the guide rod 86 After repeated use, the athlete will develop a muscle memory indicating the proper position at which his arm must stop extending backwards. Thus, as the athlete improves his throwing position, his arm will cease contacting the guide rod 86 when he brings it back to begin the throw. At this point, the athlete has achieved a proper position for throwing a ball. Repeated practice by the athlete of the throwing motion by placing his arm into the proper position will establish a muscle memory by which the athlete will be able to repeatedly make properly aligned throws keeping his elbow and arm in the proper position in relation to his shoulder blades.

(19) It is further contemplated that the method of training an athlete to throw a ball using Applicant's device can be used to continually improve the position of the athlete's arm relative to the athlete's shoulders. With a beginning athlete or an athlete who has substantial difficulty keeping his arm in the proper position, the guide rod 86 is flexible such that it can be bent into a specific position that is too far behind the athlete's shoulder plane. As the athlete gradually improves, the guide rod 86 can be slowly adjusted forward to continually shrink the distance between the proper throwing position and the improper position. Thus, as the athlete's skill and form of throwing improves, and the athlete's elbow position continually moves forward toward the plane formed by the athlete's shoulders, the guide rod 86 can be continually repositioned to gradually improve the athlete's throw. Thus, Applicant's invention is adaptable for use with a novice athlete and a professional athlete. As such, Applicant's invention and method can be used with athletes of all ages and ability levels and can be adapted to use continually to improve an athlete's throwing. Further it is contemplated that a trainer, coach, or other instructional person may adjust the guide rod 86 during practice or a training session to assist the athlete to avoid developing a bad habit or relying on an improper position of the athlete's arm or elbow. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the aforementioned method is a preferred embodiment of Applicant's method of training, there can be many variations all of which are contemplated to be included in this recitation. None of the recited and discussed limitations in the foregoing description shall be limiting, but shall be read to encompass all variants of Applicant's invention which are covered by the following claims.