Leg handle comprising thin stretch fabric and rounded cylindrical section

Abstract

A leg handle with preferably hollow cylindrical sections is used to aid in lifting a jumping player, especially for lineouts in World Rugby. The handles are preferably made of one or more foam sausages attached to a thin stretch fabric sleeve which is placed the leg of the jumper and when jumping allow for secure grasp by lifters. To use, leg handles are applied to one or more legs of a jumper and held in place with tape. When the jumper jumps, one or more lifters place their hands against the leg handle. The lifters lift the jumper higher, support the jumper in the jump while the jumper attempts to intercept a ball, and safely lower the jumper. Leg handles comprising cylindrical sections are embodied with a single sausage; a lower front sausage and a higher back sausage; or as a pair of such sausages integrated into respective legs of a pair of compression shorts. To comply with the World Rugby law regarding clothing thickness, a wall thickness of four millimeter is preferred resulting in a combined thickness of five millimeters.

Claims

1. A leg handle to be worn on a leg of a jumper and engaged by one or more lifters, said leg handle comprising: a) a first thin stretch fabric woven material, having a thickness approximately one half millimeter, said first thin stretch fabric woven material having been weaved with fibers comprising a polyurethane-polyurea copolymer, b) a second thin stretch fabric woven material, attached to the first thin stretch fabric woven material, forming a first pocket, and c) a cylindrical section, enclosed in the first pocket, wherein the first thin stretch fabric woven material is of sufficient size and shape to be worn around the lower thigh of the jumper, wherein the first thin stretch fabric woven material forms a leg sleeve, wherein, when not wrapped with tape, the first thin stretch fabric woven material slips freely up the leg, wherein the first thin stretch fabric woven material is configured to removably receive at least one wrapping of tape below the cylindrical section without the tape touching the skin of the leg of the jumper, whereby the leg handle is prevented from slipping up during the lift and whereby the skin and hair of the leg of the jumper is not adversely affected, wherein, when the jumper jumps to obtain a higher position, the jumper is lifted and held in the higher position by the one or more lifters, wherein the cylindrical section is formed from a hollow cylinder, wherein the cylindrical section is approximately five inches long, wherein the cylindrical section is between approximately three-quarters of an inch and approximately one and one-quarter inches in radius, wherein the wall thickness of cylindrical section is approximately four millimeters, wherein the cylindrical section has rounded sides and ends, wherein, when attached to the leg of a jumper, all of the sides and the ends of the cylindrical section taper smoothly down to the leg of the jumper, wherein the sides and ends which engage the hand of the lifter correspond to the shape of the hand of the lifter, wherein the cylindrical section is configured to securely engage a hand of one of the lifters while lifting, supporting, and lowering the jumper, whereby the jumper when wearing the leg handle: i) is lifted and held in the higher position by at least one lifter, and ii) runs and jumps free of discomfort or interference from the leg handle.

2. A leg handle to be worn on a leg of a jumper and engaged by one or more lifters, said leg handle comprising: a) a first thin stretch fabric woven material, having a thickness approximately one half millimeter, b) a second thin stretch fabric woven material, having a thickness approximately one half millimeter, attached to first thin stretch fabric woven material, forming a first pocket, and c) a cylindrical section formed from a hollow cylinder and enclosed in the first pocket, wherein the first thin stretch fabric woven material is of sufficient size and shape to be worn around the lower thigh of the jumper, wherein, when not wrapped with tape, the first thin stretch fabric woven material slips freely up the leg, wherein the first thin stretch fabric woven material is configured to removably receive at least one wrapping of tape below the cylindrical section without the tape touching the skin of the leg of the jumper, whereby the leg handle is prevented from slipping up during the lift and whereby the skin and hair of the leg of the jumper is not adversely affected, wherein, when the jumper jumps to obtain a higher position, the jumper is lifted and held in the higher position by the one or more lifters, wherein the cylindrical section is configured to securely engage a hand of one of the lifters while lifting, supporting, and lowering the jumper, whereby the jumper when wearing the leg handle: i) is lifted and held in the higher position by at least one lifter, and ii) runs and jumps free of discomfort or interference from the leg handle.

3. The leg handle of claim 2, wherein the cylindrical section has rounded sides and ends, and wherein, when attached to the leg of a jumper, all of the sides and the ends of the cylindrical section taper smoothly down to the leg of the jumper, whereby the sides and ends which are engaged the hand of the lifter correspond to the shape of the hand of the lifter.

4. The leg handle of claim 2, wherein the cylindrical section is approximately five inches long.

5. The leg handle of claim 2, wherein the wall thickness of the cylindrical section is approximately four millimeters.

6. The leg handle of claim 2, wherein the cylindrical section is between approximately three-quarters of an inch and approximately one and one-quarter inches in radius.

7. The leg handle of claim 2, wherein the wall thickness of the cylindrical section is approximately three-eighths of an inch.

8. The leg handle of claim 2, wherein the wall thickness of the cylindrical section is between approximately four and approximately twenty-nine millimeters.

9. The leg handle of claim 2, further comprising: d) a third thin stretch fabric woven material, attached to first thin stretch fabric woven material, forming a second pocket, and e) a second cylindrical section, enclosed in the second pocket, wherein first thin stretch fabric woven material forms compression shorts with two short legs, wherein the first pocket and the second pocket are positioned near the bottom of the two short legs, whereby the cylindrical sections are prevented from slipping down by the compression shorts compressing about the waist and legs of the jumper.

10. The leg handle of claim 2, wherein the first thin stretch fabric woven material forms a leg sleeve.

11. A system for supporting a jumper by one or more lifters, said system comprising two leg handles in accordance with claim 10, said two leg handles comprising a first leg handle to be worn on a one leg of the jumper and a second leg handle to be worn on the other leg of the jumper, wherein, prior to jumping, the first and second leg handles are applied to the corresponding legs of the jumper, and wherein, when jumping, a first hand of the at least one lifter grips the first leg handle and a second hand of the at least one lifter grips the second leg handle, whereby when the jumper jumps to higher position the at least one lifter is able to support the jumper with the first hand on the first leg handle and the second hand on the second leg handle.

12. A method for supporting a jumper by one or more lifters comprising the steps of: a) applying at least two of the leg handles of claim 2 to the legs of the jumper, b) taping below each of the cylindrical sections, c) the jumper jumping into the higher position, d) the one or more lifters ascertaining the location of each cylindrical section, e) the one or more lifters engaging each leg handle, f) lifting the jumper to a second higher position, g) holding the jumper firmly in the second higher position until the jumper is able to intercept the ball, and h) lowering the jumper safely and securely, i) repeating steps b) through h) for a predetermined period of time, j) removing the leg handles, k) reapplying the leg handles, and l) repeating steps b) through h) for a second predetermined period of time.

13. The leg handle of claim 2, further comprising: d) a third thin stretch fabric woven material, attached to first thin stretch fabric woven material, forming a second pocket, and e) a second cylindrical section, enclosed in the second pocket, wherein the first pocket is positioned on a lower front of the leg handle, wherein the second pocket is positioned on a upper back of the leg handle.

14. A unit of compression shorts with two integrated leg handles of claim 2, wherein the first thin stretch fabric woven material of the two integrated leg handles are connected and is of sufficient size and shape to be worn around the waist and thighs of the jumper, wherein at least one wrapping of tape is applied below each cylindrical section on the first thin stretch fabric of each integrated leg handle without touching the skin of the leg of the jumper, whereby each leg handle is prevented from slipping up during the lift and whereby the skin and hair of the leg of the jumper is not adversely affected.

15. The compression shorts with integrated leg handles of claim 14, wherein each cylindrical section has rounded sides and ends, and wherein, when attached to the leg of a jumper, all of the sides and ends of each cylindrical section taper smoothly down to the legs of the jumper, whereby the sides and ends which are engaged by the hands of the lifter correspond to the shape of the hands of the lifter.

16. The compression shorts with integrated leg handles of claim 14, wherein each cylindrical section is approximately five inches long.

17. The compression shorts with integrated leg handles of claim 14, wherein each cylindrical section is between approximately three-quarters of an inch and approximately one and one-quarter inches in radius.

18. The compression shorts with integrated leg handles of claim 14, wherein the wall thickness of each cylindrical section is approximately four millimeters.

19. The leg handle of claim 2, wherein the combined thickness of the first thin stretch fabric, the cylindrical section and the surrounding second thin stretch fabric material is less than or equal to five millimeters.

20. The leg handle of claim 2, wherein the combined thickness of the first thin stretch fabric, the cylindrical section and the surrounding second thin stretch fabric material complies with the laws of World Rugby.

Description

DRAWING FIGURES

(1) In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.

(2) FIG. 1A through FIG. 1C show prior art techniques and devices for lifting a jumper.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a foam sausage.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates a hollow cylinder.

(5) FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show cross sections of cylindrical sections.

(6) FIG. 5 shows a cylindrical section.

(7) FIG. 6 shows a back view of a cylindrical section with rounded ends, forming a sausage.

(8) FIG. 7A illustrates a thin stretch fabric sleeve with a front sausage.

(9) FIG. 7B illustrates a thin stretch fabric sleeve with a front and back sausages.

(10) FIG. 7C illustrates compression shorts with a front and back sausage in each leg.

(11) FIGS. 8A through 8C illustrate a single sausage pattern, a double sausage pattern, and a compression short pattern.

(12) FIG. 8D illustrates a pattern for a sausage cover.

(13) FIG. 9 illustrates using tape over the thin stretch fabric on a thigh.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

(14) TABLE-US-00001 110 first jumper 112 shorts 120 first lifter 121 left hand of first lifter 122 right hand of first lifter 130 second lifter 131 left hand of second lifter 132 right hand of second lifter 140 ball 150 second jumper 154 thigh 160 third lifter 161 left hand of third lifter 162 right hand of third lifter 170 fourth lifter 171 right hand of fourth lifter 172 left hand of forth lifter 180 third jumper 190 tape underwrap 192 (a-c) tape 194 bulge 201 foam sausage 202 (a-b) cylindrical section 203 (a-c) smaller cylindrical section 204 hollow cylinder 205 double sausage 206 sausage compression shorts 208 back sausage 209 front sausage 232 (a-c) thin stretch fabric 301 high friction grippable member 302 non-slip surface 303 first half-sphere protruding point 304 second half-sphere protruding point 305 rectangular ridge member 810 base strap 871 single sausage pattern 872 double sausage pattern 876 compression short pattern 877 sausage cover 878 back sausage position 879 front sausage position 990 lower thigh 992 knee 994 calf

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(15) The present invention comprises a leg handle comprising a hollow cylindrical section. When a person jumps, one or more other people can assist the jumper by gripping leg handle. Such a lifter is able to lift the jumper higher, support the jumper while in the air, and safely lower the jumper to the ground. When the jumper is not jumping, the jumper is able to run or otherwise move without hindrance or discomfort.

(16) FIG. 1A

(17) FIG. 1A illustrates two conventional means of lifting. As shown on the right, a first jumper 110 is lifted by a first lifter 120 and a second lifter 130. As shown on the left, a second jumper 150 is lifted by a third lifter 160 and a fourth lifter 170.

(18) A first conventional means for lifting (gripping the shorts) is shown on right. The first jumper 110 is lifted by his shorts 112. The first lifter 120 lifts using both his left hand 121 and his right hand 122 on the bottom front of the shorts 112. The second lifter 130 is gripping the shorts with his left hand 131 and his right hand 132 (not shown) to lift. These grips allow the first lifter 120 and second lifter 130 to lift first jumper 110 to a height where he can intercept the ball 140.

(19) A second conventional means for lift (gripping the thigh) is shown on the left. The fourth lifter 170 is using a similar technique of lifting as the second lifter 130 and uses both his right hand 171 and his left hand 172. Third lifter 160 is lifting second jumper 150 by his thigh 154. Note that the second jumper 150 is unstable, is falling, and was unable to intercept the ball because of the bad lift.

(20) Lifting by the shorts has many disadvantages including, for example, discomfort for the jumper, less than optimal lift performance, and difficult to obtain grip. It is also difficult to obtain a secure grip on a bare thigh (e.g. third lifter 160), especial when the skin is covered with sweat.

(21) FIG. 1B

(22) FIG. 1B illustrates a third jumper 180 with material wrapped around his thighs 154, just above each knee 992. The one-time-use material consists of an underwrap 190 covered by an upper strip of tape 192a and a lower strip of tape 192b. The tape underwrap 190 may consist of fabric athletic tape, stretch tape, or foam underwrap tape. Typically the tape 192 is black, plastic, electrical tape. This arrangement creates a bulge 194. The bulge 194 may include additional layers of the foam tape underwrap 190 or cloth material.

(23) The one-time-use thigh wrap also has many disadvantages including, for example, difficulty in applying consistently, requiring application by coach, trainer, or other player during the critical pre-game preparation time, discomfort, waste of materials, and debris often left behind.

(24) FIG. 1C

(25) FIG. 1C illustrates a neoprene sleeve comprising a non-slip gripping surface with a ridge at the top. The high friction grippable member 301 comprises a non-slip surface 302, with a first half-sphere protruding point 303 and a second half-sphere protruding point 304, and rectangular ridge member 305.

(26) FIG. 2

(27) FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a foam sausage 201. The sausage 201 is shown with rounded ends. The sausage has the shape of cylindrical section.

(28) FIG. 3

(29) FIG. 3 illustrates a hollow cylinder 204. In a preferred embodiment, the hollow cylinder is made of soft foam with a wall thickness of between approximately four (4) and approximately twenty-nine (29) millimeters in radius. Good results have been found with a wall thickness of three-eights of an inch.

(30) FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B

(31) FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B show cross sections of cylindrical sections. The cylindrical section of the present invention may be molded to shape or cut from a pre-manufactured foam cylinder such as one shown in FIG. 3. A hollow cylinder can be cut in half resulting in two half cylindrical sections, 202a and 202b, respective, as shown in FIG. 4A. Alternatively, it may be cut into three or more smaller cylindrical sections, as illustrated by smaller cylindrical sections 203 (a-b) in FIG. 4B.

(32) FIG. 5

(33) FIG. 5 shows a cylindrical section 202 made, for example, by cutting a hollow cylinder 204 (FIG. 3) in half as shown in the cross section of FIG. 4A.

(34) FIG. 6

(35) FIG. 6 shows a foam sausage 201 formed by rounding the ends of the cylindrical section shown in FIG. 5. A currently preferred embodiment of a foam sausage 201 conforms to my design patent application 29/293,086, filed Dec. 11, 2007, now U.S. Design Pat. D617,054, and has a length of approximately five inches, and a radius of approximately three-quarters of an inch resulting in a convex surface distance of over two inches. To comply with the World Rugby law regarding thickness a wall thickness of approximately four (4) millimeter is preferred. Other embodiments may have a larger radius and convex face, for example, a radius of approximately one and one-quarter inches.

(36) FIG. 7A

(37) FIG. 7A illustrates a thin stretch fabric 232a sleeve with a front sausage 209. In a currently preferred embodiment, the thin stretch fabric is low denier fabric with about ten to fifteen percent spandex (elastane) and a remainder of nylon, and having a thickness of substantially approximately one-half of a millimeter. The front sausage 209 is preferably a foam sausage 201 (FIG. 2). As discussed above in relation to FIG. 6, to comply with the World Rugby law regarding padding thickness a wall thickness of approximately four (4) millimeter for the foam sausage 201 is preferred, so that when two layers of thin stretch fabric, each with a thickness of approximately one-half a millimeter, enclose the sausage 201, the total thickness of five (5) millimeters or less is compliant with the laws of World Rugby.

(38) Spandex stretch fabric is well known to be a woven fabric comprised of synthetic fibers known for their exceptional elasticity. Spandex fibers comprise polyurethane-polyurea copolymer strands. The elastic copolymer strands are typically combined with strands of another material, such as nylon. What gives spandex its special properties is that it has hard and soft blocks in its repeat structure.

(39) FIG. 7B

(40) FIG. 7B illustrates a thin stretch fabric 232b sleeve with a front sausage 208 and a back sausage 209. The sausages (208 and 209, respectively) are preferably each a foam sausage 201 (FIG. 2).

(41) FIG. 7C

(42) FIG. 7C illustrates compression shorts comprised of thin stretch fabric 232c with a front sausage 209 and a back sausage 208 in each leg (e.g. 208a and 209a in the right leg and 208b and 209b in the left leg, as worn by a jumper).

(43) FIG. 8A Through FIG. 8C

(44) FIGS. 8A through 8C illustrate a single sausage pattern 871, a double sausage pattern 872, and a compression short pattern 876.

(45) FIG. 8A shows a single sausage pattern 871 for the thin stretch fabric 232a. The front sausage position 879 is represented by a dashed line. In one method of construction, a pocket is formed by sewing a sausage cover 877 to the inside of the thin stretch fabric 232a, a sausage 201 is inserted into the pocket and the pocket is sewn closed. Flexible adhesive may also be used.

(46) FIG. 8B shows a double sausage pattern 872, thin stretch fabric 232b. In addition to the front sausage position 879, the back sausage position 878 is shown.

(47) FIG. 8C a partial, compression short pattern 876, thin stretch fabric 232c. Only one leg is shown with each respective front sausage position 879 and back sausage position 878.

(48) To comply with the World Rugby law regarding clothing thickness, the combined thickness of the stretch fabric (232a, 232b, or 232c, respectively), the wall of the hollow cylindrical section of the sausage 201, and the cover 877 is five (5) millimeters or less. Others have attempted to make Rugby lifting aids but have been unsuccessful in providing a large enough grip that also complies with the World Rugby law regarding thickness. My novel hollow cylindrical section provides for a larger effective grip, while complying with the World Rugby law regarding thickness. When flattened for measurement, it is five (5) millimeters or less, but when gripped by a lifter it provides a sufficient size and shape where the radius of the outside of cylinder is substantially greater than five (5) millimeters.

(49) FIG. 8D

(50) FIG. 8D a pattern for a sausage cover 877 which may comprise the same thin stretch fabric. The edges of the pocket may be folded over prior to sewing resulting in a smooth edge.

(51) FIG. 9

(52) FIG. 9 illustrates using tape over the thin stretch fabric 232a of a single sausage (FIG. 7A) on a lower thigh 990. To apply the device is placed over the leg and position above the knee 992. To prevent the device from slipping down the leg, while running around, at least one wrapping of tape 192a is used to tape the thin stretch fabric 232a to the skin of the lower thigh 990. To prevent the device from slipping up the leg during the lift, one or more wrappings of tape 192b (and optionally 192c) are taped over the thin stretch fabric 232a below (and optionally above) the front sausage 209. The tape, 192b and 192b, may be fabric athletic tape or may be plastic electrical tape.

(53) Although not shown a similar arrangement of tape may be applied over each sausage (208, 209, 208a, 209a, 208b, and 209b, respectively).

(54) In yet another embodiment of a method for use, a wrapping of stretch tape with a tacky surface is applied over the respective sausage (e.g. 209) prior to applying tape 192b and 192c.

(55) Other Uses

(56) While the descriptions of the various embodiments have been made in reference to Rugby Union, the present invention could also be used for other sports which involve, or in the future may involve, lifting, such as Volleyball, International Rules Football, Australian Rules Football, baseball, ice skating, dance, or other sports.

(57) Advantages

(58) Comfortable

(59) The leg handles of the present invention offer comfort to the jumping player. The leg handles do not apply pressure to the sensitive crotch areas of the body, as conventional methods of lifting do. The leg handles also reduce pulling out the hairs of the leg during removal, as in certain conventional methods.

(60) Effective

(61) The leg handles of the present invention are effective. A lifter has much better odds for obtaining and maintaining a sure grip with the present invention than with conventional methods. Thus, the jumper is more consistently able to obtain an optimum jump.

(62) Safe

(63) Because of the effectiveness of the the present invention in allowing lifters to have a sure grip, the present invention offers greater safety and lessens risk of injury to both jumping and lifting players, and even opponents

(64) Simple

(65) The present invention is simple to make and use. The present invention requires less time to put on.

(66) Easy to Use

(67) The present invention is easy to use. To install, the potential jumper simply applies over one or more legs. The lifters easily can find a grip while lifting the jumper.

(68) Unlike conventional methods of lifting, which require a second party such as a trainer or coach to apply and runs the risk of inconsistency, the present invention is easily put on and taped by one person (including the wearer) and gives consistent results.

(69) Reusable-Reduced Waste

(70) The present invention can be used over and over again. The conventional method of using entirely tape, most of the material can only be used once and a new material must be used for every application. With these devices and methods, most of the material is reused and much less tape is required.

(71) Because the conventional foam wraps and tapes can only be used once, the materials become trash after use. The remains of the foam wraps and tape are often strewn on the field and leave an unsightly, unprofessional appearance requiring extra effort to clean up.

(72) Higher Performance

(73) The present invention offers higher performance in jumping than conventional methods. The quality of grip maintained allows stronger and higher lift, for example during a Rugby lineout. Use of the present invention gives teams more options on plays to be run during the lineout. The use of the present invention does not hinder agility or running, as conventional taping sometimes does, because the taping is much less and can be applied looser.

(74) Quick

(75) The present invention can be quickly applied and removed. Time from warm-up and pre-game training need not be taken to apply the leg devices. The conventional method can take several minutes to apply and removal can also be a slow process. Conventional taping often requires assistance from a coach or other highly skilled person and detracts from the critical pre-game preparation.

(76) Adjustable

(77) One embodiment of the present invention can easily be adjusted for different players and thus are easily switched from player to player to accommodate substitutions.

(78) Efficient

(79) The conventional method of taping is wasteful. Trash is created after every game, and more tape and foam wrap materials need to be replaced and bought, adding to expenses. The present invention reduces the cost and trash significantly.

(80) Better Appearance

(81) Conventional methods of lifting worsen the look of players. The present invention has a smooth, professional look. While conventional taping has limited options, the present invention can easily be manufactured in a variety of colors to match the team color or the individual preference of the wearer. Space on the device material may also be used to bear a team logo, national insignia, or advertising.

(82) Cost Effective

(83) Because the leg handles can be made relatively inexpensively, are reusable, and reduce waste, the present invention is cost effective. In particular, the leg handle can be made very inexpensively, providing a larger market and encouraging less waste.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATION, AND SCOPE

(84) Accordingly, the present invention provides an easy to use, simple, safe, comfortable, reusable, and effective means for lifting a jumper.

(85) While the above descriptions contain several specifics these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as examples of some of the preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, different shapes and sizes of cylindrical sections of strap could be used. The cylindrical section could be made from a solid cylinder of foam, rubber, or similar material. Additionally, the leg devices could be made of different materials or have additional features, or be used in different sports, without departing from the scope and spirit of the novel features of the present invention.

(86) Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the illustrated embodiments, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.