Towel trainer

Abstract

A towel trainer for use in drills for improving pitching mechanics includes a tail portion that transitions to a handle portion which is bulbous, and, a band resides between the head and tail portions which provides a pronounced snapping effect when a towel drill is performed correctly. The towel trainer may include a motion sensing circuit and audible alerts to notify a trainee of proper or improper body mechanics.

Claims

1. A hand held towel trainer comprising: (1) a bulbous handle over a core portion, the bulbous handle including a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein the top portion has a substantially rounded shape; (2) a towel portion forming a pair of tails including a first tail and a second tail, each tail including a width and a length configured to exceed the width, the length of the first tail and second tail being substantially the same length and the width of the first tail and second tail being substantially the same width, each tail folded lengthwise and configured to extend from the bottom portion of the bulbous handle, the first tail and second tail are coupled to the core portion and encapsulated by the bulbous handle, the pair of tails configured to provide an audible snapping sound when the towel trainer is moved in accordance with a training exercise; and, (3) a reversibly attached flexible band around the pair of tails, the flexible band configured to abut the bottom portion of the bulbous handle and configured to fit between fingers of a user, and, wherein borders of the first tail and second tail are substantially non-contiguous at least in portions of the first tail and second tail that extend below the flexible band.

2. The towel trainer according to claim 1, wherein the pair of tails is secured within the handle by the core portion.

3. The towel trainer according to claim 1 wherein the core portion is reversibly insertable.

4. The towel trainer according to claim 1 including a motion sensing means for determining acceleration of the handle or tails.

5. The towel trainer according to claim 1 further comprising a clam-shell covering.

6. The towel trainer according to claim 1 further comprising an accelerometer.

7. The towel trainer according to claim 1, wherein the band is reversibly attachable around the tails.

8. A method of making a towel trainer comprising the steps of: providing a hand towel, a core, and a band; folding the towel medially and lengthwiseso that it wraps around the core and produces a first branch and a second branch of a tail, each branch of the tail having a width and a length configured to exceed the width, the length of the first branch and second branch being substantially the same length and the width of the first branch and second branch being substantially the same width and wherein the branches are at least 8 inches in length and extend from the core and the branches are configured to provide an audible snapping sound when the towel trainer is moved in accordance with a training exercise; applying a band around the tail and a junction between the tail and the core such that the core and towel are cinched together; encapsulating portions of the towel trainer above the band to form a handle, and wherein each branch of the tail has a peripheral border, and configuring the tail such that the peripheral borders are non-contiguous in tail portions extending below the band.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 shows a first side view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

(2) FIG. 2 shows a second side view of the embodiment of (FIG. 1);

(3) FIG. 3 shows an end view of the embodiment of (FIG. 1);

(4) FIG. 4 shows a first side view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

(5) FIG. 5 shows a second side view of the embodiment of (FIG. 4);

(6) FIG. 6 shows an end view of the embodiment of (FIG. 4);

(7) FIG. 7 shows a first side view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

(8) FIG. 8 shows a second side view of the embodiment of (FIG. 7);

(9) FIG. 8a shows an embodiment having a different shape for the nexus of the handle portion and the band portion;

(10) FIG. 9 shows an end view of the embodiment of (FIG. 7);

(11) FIG. 10 shows a first side view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

(12) FIG. 11 shows a second side view of the embodiment of (FIG. 10);

(13) FIG. 12 shows an end view of the embodiment of (FIG. 10);

(14) FIG. 13 shows a first side view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

(15) FIG. 14 shows a second side view of the embodiment of (FIG. 13);

(16) FIG. 15 shows an end view of the embodiment of (FIG. 13);

(17) FIG. 16 shows a third side view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

(18) FIG. 17 shows a first side view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

(19) FIG. 18 shows a second side view of the embodiment of (FIG. 17);

(20) FIG. 19 shows an end view of the embodiment of (FIG. 17);

(21) FIG. 20 shows a first side view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

(22) FIG. 21 shows a second side view of the embodiment of (FIG. 20);

(23) FIGS. 22a, 22b, 22c and 22d show side views of core 200;

(24) FIG. 23 is an end view of an exemplary core with recces 201;

(25) FIG. 24 shows another embodiment according to the present invention;

(26) FIG. 25 is a first side view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

(27) FIG. 26 is a second side view of the embodiment of (FIG. 25);

(28) FIG. 27 is another side view of the embodiment of (FIG. 25) with extended core 200;

(29) FIG. 28 is an interior view of one embodiment according to the present invention showing an outer shell 114, core 200 and towel 130 wrapped around the core;

(30) FIG. 29 is a side exterior view of the embodiment of (FIG. 28);

(31) FIG. 29a depicts an embodiment having a different shape for the nexus between the outer shell and the band portion;

(32) FIGS. 30 and 31 illustrate exemplary cores 200;

(33) FIG. 32 is an end view of the embodiment of (FIG. 29);

(34) FIG. 33 shows a first side view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

(35) FIG. 34 shows a second side view of the embodiment of (FIG. 33);

(36) FIG. 35 is an end view of the embodiment of (FIG. 33);

(37) FIGS. 36 and 37 show the embodiment of (FIG. 33) with a wrapped head;

(38) FIG. 38 shows a first side view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

(39) FIG. 39 shows a second side view of the embodiment of (FIG. 38);

(40) FIG. 40 is an end view of the embodiment of (FIG. 38);

(41) FIGS. 41 and 42 show the embodiment of (FIG. 38) with a wrapped head;

(42) FIG. 43 shows a first side view of an embodiment according to the present invention;

(43) FIG. 44 shows a second side view of the embodiment of (FIG. 43);

(44) FIG. 45 is an end view of the embodiment of (FIG. 43);

(45) FIGS. 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50 illustrate possible towel fold cross-sections taken through lines 2-2 of (FIG. 7).

REFERENCE LISTING OF THE NUMBERED ELEMENTS

(46) 100 trainer 110 head 111 wrap 114 shell 120 band 130 tail 140 shoulder 150 tail end(s) 200 core 201 recess 220 chip

Definitions

(47) In the following description, the term chip refers to any circuit that may include a microprocessor, volatile and/or non-volatile memory, an accelerometer component, a transceiver, a data logging component, a port and a sound emitting means. Unless otherwise explained, any technical terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The singular terms a, an, and the include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word or is intended to include and unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of this disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described below. The term comprisesmeans includes. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. In case of conflict, the present specification, including explanations of terms, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. It should be understood that objects, features and aspects of any described embodiment may be combined with any other disclosed embodiment.

(48) Referring generally to FIGS. 1-50, embodiments according to the present invention for a towel trainer 100 include, a head portion 110, a core portion 200, a tail portion 130 that includes a hand towel or the like, and, a band portion 120 at the junction of the tail and head portions. In some embodiments the head portion is a medial portion of a folded towel looped around a core which may be a cylindrical member or another shape that may be weighted or configured to contain a chip or circuit that logs or transmits motion data. Wrapping 111 if any is present, around the tail end and core, can be any pliant material that is capable of covering the head, such as tape or fabric. Band 120 can be a molded tubular sleeve through which the tail portion is threaded, or the band may be composed of tape or wrapping where the tail portion transitions to the head portion. Alternately, the band may have a clam-shell configuration having pieces that snap together around the tail portion. Preferably, the band is from 1 inch to 1.5 inches in width, and 0.875 inches to 1 inch in length. If the band is wound construction, preferably, the windings comprise a thick tape that creates a flex between the head and tail and forms a whip-like construction for a user's fingers to rest around, or, in cases where the band is molded, it may be comprised of an elastomeric tubing. In some embodiments, the head portion includes a shell that covers interior core and tail portions, and provides for tail and core replacement. FIG. 28, in an exemplary embodiment, shows the core 200 and tail portions 130 fitted inside of shell 114. Although a spherical clam-shell configuration is depicted, other shapes and configurations for two-part or multi-part shells will suggest themselves to those having skill in the art. The shell may be hard, soft, covered in an elastomer, or include foam or fabric and batting. The juncture between the band and the head may be centered or offset as depicted in (FIGS. 33-37). Conceivably, the band and the head may be molded in one piece so that both are applied around the tail with a clam-shell snap fit (FIGS. 29, 29a). Preferably, the exposed length of tail 130 may vary anywhere between 8 and 18 inches, and can possess folds in numerous configurations, as shown in (FIGS. 46-50). The tail ends can be hemmed or include fringe or crackers (not shown) like a bull-whip.

(49) In order to replace the tail portion, the forward end of the towel must be exposed, and, the core and band removed. The towel and core portions of the trainer composing the handle portion may be unwrapped or lack a clam-shell covering. The core may be a simple cylinder, capped at the ends e.g., (FIGS. 22B, 22c, 22d), or, rounded so that the towel ends looped around the core conform to the core's shape. The core may include a recess 201 for receiving a motion sensing circuit 220 and batteries (not shown) to power the circuit, or, the recess may also be used to house small weights if desired.

(50) Tail folds e.g., (FIGS. 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50), can be varied as desired, from dense and tightly folded, in coils or loops or accordion folded. Whatever the case, band 120 is sufficiently tight serves to secure the particular fold in place.

(51) The head portion may be spheroid, elliptical, faceted and/or may possess flattened sections FIGS. 17-19).

(52) It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description herein are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner, and are not intended to be limiting to the particular forms and examples disclosed. Accordingly, it is intended that this disclosure encompass any further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments as would be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art having benefit of this disclosure, and falling within the scope of the following claims.