Athletic Grasp Training Articles, Kits, and Methods

Abstract

Articles, kits, and methods for enabling an individual to improve their top-hand grasp of a handled object, such as a baseball bat. An article has an arcuate inner portion having a groove that extends along a length thereof, configured to reversibly engage the handled object. The article also has an irregular outer portion with a thumb support that arcuately extends from the irregular outer portion, configured to reversibly engage the individual's top-hand. During use of the article in a method of the invention, the article enables the individual to grasp the handled object with the fingers of their top-hand, rather than the palm and thumb of their top-hand, to improve acceleration, velocity, precision, accuracy, and form of the individual's swing when the article is not used, as well as improved safety and consistent grip technique when it is used.

Claims

1. An article for training an individual's top-hand grasp of a handled object, comprising: an arcuate inner portion configured to engage the handled object, and an irregular outer portion comprising a thumb support, wherein the irregular outer portion is configured to engage the palm and thumb of the individual's top-hand, such that the handled object is grasped with the fingers of the individual's top-hand.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the article is chiral and is configured for either a left hand or a right hand.

3. The article of claim 1, wherein the article is continuous and unitary.

4. The article of claim 1, wherein a width of the article tapers from a medial portion of the article to a lower portion of the article.

5. The article of claim 1, wherein the arcuate inner portion comprises a groove that extends along a longitudinal axis thereof, wherein the groove is configured to secure the article to the handled object.

6. The article of claim 5, wherein the groove extends along a full length of the arcuate inner portion.

7. The article of claim 1, wherein the thumb support arcuately extends outward from the irregular outer portion and away from the arcuate inner portion.

8. The article of claim 7, wherein the thumb support forms a semi-circular loop into which the thumb of the individual's top-hand may be inserted.

9. An article for training an individual's top-hand grasp of a handled object, comprising: an arcuate inner portion configured to engage the handled object that comprises a groove that extends along a full length of the arcuate inner portion, wherein the groove is configured to secure the article to the handled object, and an irregular outer portion comprising a thumb support that arcuately extends outward from the irregular outer portion and away from the arcuate inner portion and forms a semi-circular loop into which the thumb of the individual's top-hand may be inserted, wherein the irregular outer portion is configured to engage the palm and thumb of the individual's top-hand, such that the handled object is grasped with the fingers of the individual's top-hand; and wherein a width of the article tapers from a medial portion of the article to a lower portion of the article.

10. The article of claim 9, wherein the article is continuous and unitary and chiral such that it is configured for either a left hand or a right hand.

11. A method for training an individual's top-hand grasp of a handled object, comprising: contacting an irregular outer portion of an article with the palm and thumb of the individual's top-hand, contacting the thumb of the individual's top-hand with a thumb support of the irregular outer portion, contacting an arcuate inner portion of the article with the handled object, grasping the handled object with the article and the fingers of the individual's top-hand, and swinging the handled object according to a technique.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the article is chiral and is configured for either a left hand or a right hand.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the article is continuous and unitary.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein a width of the article tapers from a medial portion of the article to a lower portion of the article.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the arcuate inner portion comprises a groove that extends along a longitudinal axis thereof, wherein the groove is configured to secure the article to the handled object.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the groove extends along a full length of the arcuate inner portion.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the thumb support arcuately extends outward from the irregular outer portion and away from the arcuate inner portion.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the thumb support forms a semi-circular loop into which the thumb of the individual's top-hand may be inserted.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the technique is an athletic technique for use with a sport.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the sport is selected from a group consisting of: baseball, tee-ball, softball, cricket, golf, and any combination thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] Although the characteristic features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manners in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

[0015] When describing the figures, the direction of the thumb support is always “forward” or “frontal”, or “front”, etc., for purposes of orienting the reader. In addition, while only the right-handed embodiment is explicitly shown in use by a user and attached to a handled object, the left-handed embodiment may be similarly used, with the use of the left-handed embodiment corresponding to a mirror of the use of the right-handed embodiment, as would be understood by the person having ordinary skill in the art.

[0016] FIG. 1A shows a lower left side perspective view of left-handed and right-handed exemplary articles for athletic training, according to the present invention.

[0017] FIG. 1B shows an upper left side perspective view of left-handed and right-handed articles.

[0018] FIG. 1C shows an upper right perspective view of the left-handed article.

[0019] FIG. 1D shows an upper left perspective view of the right-handed article.

[0020] FIG. 1E shows a right-side view of the left-handed article.

[0021] FIG. 1F shows a left-side view of the right-handed article.

[0022] FIG. 1G shows a left-side view of the left-handed article.

[0023] FIG. 1H shows a right-side view of the right-handed article.

[0024] FIG. 1I shows a top-side view of the left-handed article.

[0025] FIG. 1J shows a top-side view of the right-handed article.

[0026] FIG. 1K shows a bottom-side view of the left-handed article.

[0027] FIG. 1L shows a bottom-side view of the right-handed article.

[0028] FIG. 2A shows an upper view of the right-handed article being worn by an upper hand of an individual.

[0029] FIG. 2B shows a front side perspective view of the article being worn.

[0030] FIG. 2C shows a front lower side perspective view of the article being worn.

[0031] FIG. 2D shows a front view of the article being worn.

[0032] FIG. 2E shows a right-side view of the article being worn.

[0033] FIG. 2F shows a left side view of the article being worn.

[0034] FIG. 3A shows a rear side view of the article adhered to a handled object.

[0035] FIG. 3B shows a front side view of the article adhered to the handled object.

[0036] FIG. 3C shows a left side view of the article adhered to the handled object.

[0037] FIG. 4A shows a front side view of the article being worn and adhered to the handled object, with the wearer loosely grasping the hand.

[0038] FIG. 4B shows a front side view of the article being worn and adhered to the handled object, with the wearer tightly grasping the hand.

[0039] FIG. 4C shows a close-up perspective view of a thumb support of the article, through which the thumb of the hand is inserted to contact the handled object.

[0040] FIG. 5A shows a method of assisting an individual with an athletic technique using an article of the present invention.

[0041] FIG. 5B shows a method of implementing an athletic technique using an article of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals may be used in the drawings to indicate like or similar elements of the description. The figures are intended for representative purposes and should not be considered limiting.

[0043] The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the present disclosure and the examples included therein.

[0044] Before the present articles, systems, devices, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that they are not limited to specific implementations unless otherwise specified, or to particular approaches unless otherwise specified, as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, example methods and materials are now described.

[0045] All publications mentioned herein are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited.

Definitions

[0046] It is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the specification and in the claims, the term “comprising” can include the aspects “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this present disclosure belongs. In this specification and in the claims which follow, reference will be made to a number of terms which shall be defined herein.

[0047] As used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “an opening” can include two or more openings.

[0048] Ranges can be expressed herein as from one particular value, and/or to another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent ‘about,’ it will be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. It is also understood that there are a number of values disclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as “about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. For example, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. It is also understood that each unit between two units are also disclosed. For example, if 10 and 15 are disclosed, then 11, 12, 13, and 14 are also disclosed.

[0049] As used herein, the terms “about” and “at or about” mean that the amount or value in question can be the value designated or some other value approximately or about the same. It is generally understood, as used herein, that it is the nominal value indicated ±10% variation unless otherwise indicated or inferred. The term is intended to convey that similar values promote equivalent results or effects recited in the claims. That is, it is understood that amounts, sizes, formulations, parameters, and other quantities and characteristics are not and need not be exact, but can be approximate and/or larger or smaller, as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art. In general, an amount, size, formulation, parameter or other quantity or characteristic is “about” or “approximate” whether or not expressly stated to be such. It is understood that where “about” is used before a quantitative value, the parameter also includes the specific quantitative value itself, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0050] The terms “first,” “second,” “first part,” “second part,” and the like, where used herein, do not denote any order, quantity, or importance, and are used to distinguish one element from another, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0051] As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” means that the subsequently described event or circumstance can or cannot occur, and that the description includes instances where said event or circumstance occurs and instances where it does not. For example, the phrase “optionally affixed to the surface” means that it can or cannot be fixed to a surface.

[0052] Moreover, it is to be understood that unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not actually recite an order to be followed by its steps or it is not otherwise specifically stated in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow; plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation; and the number or type of aspects described in the specification.

[0053] Disclosed are the components to be used to manufacture the disclosed devices, systems, and articles of the present disclosure as well as the devices themselves to be used within the methods disclosed herein. These and other materials are disclosed herein, and it is understood that when combinations, subsets, interactions, groups, etc. of these materials are disclosed that while specific reference of each various individual and collective combinations and permutation of these materials cannot be explicitly disclosed, each is specifically contemplated and described herein. For example, if a particular material is disclosed and discussed and a number of modifications that can be made to the materials are discussed, specifically contemplated is each and every combination and permutation of the material and the modifications that are possible unless specifically indicated to the contrary. Thus, if a class of materials A, B, and C are disclosed as well as a class of materials D, E, and F and an example of a combination material, A-D is disclosed, then even if each is not individually recited each is individually and collectively contemplated meaning combinations, A-E, A-F, B-D, B-E, B-F, C-D, C-E, and C-F are considered disclosed. Likewise, any subset or combination of these is also disclosed. Thus, for example, the sub-group of A-E, B-F, and C-E would be considered disclosed. This concept applies to all aspects of this application including, but not limited to, steps in methods of making and using the articles and devices of the present disclosure. Thus, if there are a variety of additional steps that can be performed it is understood that each of these additional steps can be performed with any specific aspect or combination of aspects of the methods of the present disclosure.

[0054] Athletic Grasp Training Articles

[0055] It is understood that the devices and systems disclosed herein have certain functions. Disclosed herein are certain structural requirements for performing the disclosed functions, and it is understood that there are a variety of structures that can perform the same function that are related to the disclosed structures, and that these structures will typically achieve the same result.

[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 1A-1L, 2A-2F, 3A-3C, and 4A-4C, there are shown several views of exemplary right-handed and/or left-handed articles for training top-hand athletic grasp of a handled object, according to the present invention. Generally, the invention relates to improved articles 1 for training an individual's top-hand grasp of a handled object 13, comprising an arcuate inner portion 2 configured to engage the handled object 13 and an irregular outer portion 3 comprising a thumb support 4. The irregular outer portion 3 is configured to engage the palm and thumb of the individual's top-hand, such that the handled object 13 is grasped with the fingers of the individual's top-hand. The article may be chiral and configured for use with either a left hand or a right hand, as shown. The article may be comprised of a single continuous and unitary structure and may not be comprised of a plurality of structures, which may increase durability and enable the article to withstand significant forces during use.

[0057] The article may include a width that tapers from a medial portion 7 of the article 1 to a lower portion 8 of the article 1 to improve the individual's top-hand grasp. This may also allow the bottom-hand to abut against a lower portion of the top-hand during use. In this manner, the individual may grasp the handled object 13 according to a suitable technique. In the shown embodiment, an upper portion 6 of the article is about the same width as the medial portion 7, such that the individual is able to contact the handled object 13 with the fingers. As would be understood by the person having ordinary skill in the art, changes to width and tapering of the article 1 may be made to accommodate different-sized top-hands to maintain proper technique; for example, a wider width may accommodate a larger hand and a narrower width may accommodate a smaller hand. Variations to size and shape may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0058] The arcuate inner portion 2 may comprise a groove 5 that extends along a longitudinal axis thereof, such that the groove 5 is configured to secure the article to the handled object 13 during use. The groove 5 may extend along a full length of the arcuate inner portion 2 to maximize this securement, as shown, however, in alternate embodiments, may extend along a length that is less than the full length of the arcuate inner portion 2. The groove 5 may be formed by walls 11, 12 which form a “U” shape or a “V” shape, a fulcrum 24, and the groove 5. The fulcrum may be in the form of a peak that is oriented across the body of the article (1a, 1b), as shown. The groove 5 and the walls 11, 12 and the fulcrum 24 work together to secure the article to the handled object while simultaneously allowing for a dynamic rocking motion within the groove 5 when the article is pressed against a handled object 13, thereby not biomechanically constraining the individual's hand and wrist which may place unwanted and unnatural torque on individual's hand and wrist. The groove 5 and the walls 11, 12 and the fulcrum 14 also enable the individual to easily and naturally release the handle from the individual's hand and the article whenever they loosen their grip. In this manner, the article 1 may not lose contact with the handled object 13 and the individual is better able to grasp the article 1 and the handled object 13 during use.

[0059] The thumb support 4 may arcuately extend outward from the irregular outer portion 3 and away from the arcuate inner portion 2 to allow an ergonomic grasp of the article 1 and the handled object 13 by the individual. In addition, the thumb support 4 may form a semi-circular loop 9 into which the thumb of the individual's top-hand may be inserted. In this manner, the individual may effectively grasp the article with the thumb and palm of the top-hand, and the handled object 13 with the fingers of the top-hand to improve athletic technique.

[0060] The loop 9 is shown as a semi-circle and a terminal end of the loop 9 does not contact a portion 10 of the outer portion 3, however, in alternate embodiments, the terminal end of the loop 9 may contact the portion 10 of the outer portion 3 and form a circle or closed loop through which the thumb may be inserted. Variations in size and shape, including variations in design and placement of the thumb support 5, may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0061] Athletic Grasp Training Kits

[0062] The present invention also provides kits which comprise, at least, an athletic grasp training article of the present invention, optionally combined with other materials such as instructional materials, a handled object (e.g., a bat, a club, etc.), a ball, etc. In this manner, the present invention involves not only articles but also kits which may be provided as a unit to an individual such as a consumer, e.g., an athlete or an aspiring athlete.

[0063] Athletic Grasp Training Methods

[0064] Referring now to FIG. 5A, there is shown a method of assisting an individual with an athletic technique using an article of the present invention. A method of assisting an individual with an athletic technique comprises providing 15 an article to an individual, and instructing 16 the individual to grasp a handled object with the article according to a technique, such as an athletic technique. The instructing 16 may involve verbal explanations or physical demonstrations, e.g., coaching activities.

[0065] Referring now to FIG. 5B, there is shown a method of implementing an athletic technique using an article of the present invention. A method 17 of implementing or training an athletic technique using an article comprises receiving 18 an article (e.g., a top-hand grasp article as disclosed herein); contacting 19 an outer portion (e.g., irregular outer portion) of the article with the palm and thumb of the top-hand of the individual; contacting 20 a thumb support of the article with the thumb of the top-hand, contacting 21 an inner portion (e.g., an arcuate inner portion that includes a groove thereon) of the article with a handled object (e.g., a bat, a club, etc.) (e.g., to form a vacuum or a partial vacuum), grasping 22 the handled object with the article and the fingers of the top-hand; and swinging 23 the handled object according to a technique. The method may also include reviewing or learning from the technique and adjusting the individual's top-hand grasp to try to improve the technique in subsequent iterations of the method.

[0066] The method may be performed using any suitable article of the invention, including but not necessarily limited to chiral articles configured for either a left hand or a right hand, continuous and unitary articles, articles having a width that tapers from a medial portion of the article to a lower portion of the article, articles wherein the arcuate inner portion comprises a groove that extends along a longitudinal axis thereof and wherein the groove is configured to secure the article to the handled object, articles wherein the groove extends along a full length of the arcuate inner portion, articles wherein the thumb support arcuately extends outward from the irregular outer portion and away from the arcuate inner portion, articles wherein the thumb support forms a semi-circular loop into which the thumb of the individual's top-hand may be inserted, and the like. In this manner, methods are provided which are suitable for use with the articles and kits of the invention, and which may correspond thereto.

[0067] The methods may be used for improving top-hand grasp of any handled object but may be especially suitable for improving top-hand grasp for an athletic technique such as swinging a bat or club. In addition, the articles, kits, and methods may be used for existing sports, including but not necessarily limited to baseball, tee-ball, softball, cricket, golf, and any combination thereof, and may also be used for non-existing sports, such as sports that have yet to be invented. Thus, the articles, kits, and methods provide general approaches for improving the top-hand grasp for any corresponding two-handed grasp for any sport or activity.

[0068] While aspects of the present disclosure can be described and claimed in a particular statutory class, such as the system statutory class, this is for convenience only and one of skill in the art will understand that each aspect of the present disclosure can be described and claimed in any statutory class. Unless otherwise expressly stated, it is in no way intended that any method or aspect set forth herein be construed as requiring that its steps be performed in a specific order. Accordingly, where a method claim does not specifically state in the claims or descriptions that the steps are to be limited to a specific order, it is no way appreciably intended that an order be inferred, in any respect. This holds for any possible non-express basis for interpretation, including matters of logic with respect to arrangement of steps or operational flow, plain meaning derived from grammatical organization or punctuation, or the number or type of aspects described in the specification.

[0069] Throughout this application, various publications can be referenced. The disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application in order to more fully describe the state of the art to which this pertains. The references disclosed are also individually and specifically incorporated by reference herein for the material contained in them that is discussed in the sentence in which the reference is relied upon. Nothing herein is to be construed as an admission that the present disclosure is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior present disclosure. Further, the dates of publication provided herein can be different from the actual publication dates, which can require independent confirmation.

[0070] The patentable scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

[0071] Insofar as the description above and the accompanying drawing disclose any additional subject matter that is not within the scope of the claims below, the disclosures are not dedicated to the public and the right to file one or more applications to claims such additional disclosures is reserved.

[0072] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and its embodiments with modifications as suited to the use contemplated.

[0073] It is therefore submitted that the present invention has been shown and described in the most practical and exemplary embodiments. It should be recognized that departures may be made which fall within the scope of the invention. With respect to the description provided herein, it is submitted that the optimal features of the invention include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly, and use. All structures, functions, and relationships equivalent or essentially equivalent to those disclosed are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.