TRAINING DEVICE FOR RACQUET SPORTS

Abstract

A tennis training aid includes a glove and a wrist brace. An attachment mechanism extends between the back side of the glove and the wrist brace. The attachment mechanism has a first piece releasably connected to second piece so as to secure the glove, and thus the hand, at a desired angle relative to the wrist brace, and thus the wrist. The attachment mechanism preferably has an adjustable length so as to select the desired angle. Preferably, the attachment mechanism is a strap clip. The tennis training aid can also include both right-handed and left-handed gloves so as to accommodate for users having different dominant hands and allowing for use of the training device for the serve toss and the forehand and backhand strokes.

Claims

1. A brace for racquet sports training comprising: a glove; a wrist brace; and an attachment mechanism extending between a back side of said glove and said wrist brace, said attachment mechanism comprising a first attachment piece releasably connected to a second attachment piece, said first attachment piece being secured to said glove, said second attachment piece being secured to said wrist brace.

2. The brace of claim 1, said attachment mechanism having an adjustable length.

3. The brace of claim 1, said attachment mechanism being a strap clip.

4. The brace of claim 3, said strap clip comprising: a male member secured to said glove; and a female member secured to said wrist brace.

5. The brace of claim 3, said strap clip comprising: a male member secured to said wrist brace; and a female member secured to said glove.

6. The brace of claim 1, wherein said attachment mechanism holds a hand of a wearer at an angle of between 65 and 85 degrees relative to the wrist and arm of the wearer.

7. The brace of claim 1, said glove being a right-handed glove, said brace further comprising a left-handed glove having an attachment piece on a back side thereof, said attachment piece of said left-handed glove being identical to said first attachment piece of said right-handed glove.

8. A training aid comprising: a glove; and a wrist brace releasably connected to a back side of said glove, said wrist brace being adjustable relative to said glove so as to fix said glove at a desired angle relative to said wrist brace.

9. The training aid of claim 8, further comprising: a first attachment piece affixed to said back side of said glove; and a second attachment piece affixed to said wrist brace, said first attachment piece being releasably connected to said second attachment piece.

10. The training aid of claim 9, at least one of said first attachment piece and said second attachment piece being adjustable in length.

11. The training aid of claim 8, further comprising: a strap clip having a male member and a female member, said male member being attached to one of said glove and said wrist brace, said female member being attached to another of said glove and said wrist brace.

12. The training aid of claim 11, said strap member being adjustable in length.

13. The training aid of claim 9, said glove being a right-handed glove, said training aid further comprising a left-handed glove, said left-handed glove having an attachment piece affixed to a back side thereof, said attachment piece of said left-handed glove being identical to said first attachment piece of said right-handed glove.

14. The training aid of claim 8, said desired angle being between 65 and 85 degrees.

15. A tennis training aid for use in practicing forehand, backhand and serve motions, the tennis training aid comprising: a right-handed glove having an attachment piece on a back side thereof; a left-handed glove having an attachment piece on a back side thereof, said attachment piece of said left-handed glove being identical to said attachment piece of said right-handed glove; and a wrist brace having a corresponding attachment piece attached thereto, said corresponding attachment piece of said wrist brace being releasably connectable to either of said attachment piece of said right-handed glove or said attachment piece of said left-handed glove.

16. The tennis training aid of claim 15, wherein a user of the tennis training aid selects between said right-handed glove and said left-handed glove.

17. The tennis training aid of claim 15, wherein said wrist brace is adjustable relative to either of said right-handed glove and said left-handed glove so as to fix an angle between a plane of the wrist of the wearer and the hand of the wearer.

18. The tennis training aid of claim 17, wherein said angle is a minimum angle.

19. The tennis training aid of claim 15, said attachment pieces of said right-handed glove and said left handed glove and said corresponding attachment piece of said left-handed glove comprising a strap clip with an additional male or female piece.

20. The tennis training aid of claim 19, said strap clip having a strap for adjusting the angle between the wrist brace and either of the right-handed glove and left-handed glove.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] FIG. 1 is a detailed view of a tennis player's hand properly holding a tennis racquet.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a representational diagram of a tennis player during a forehand swing of the racquet, while maintaining the hand orientation shown in FIG. 1.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a representational diagram of a tennis player during a backhand swing of the racquet, while maintaining the hand orientation shown in FIG. 1.

[0044] FIG. 4 is a representational diagram of a tennis player during a serve of the ball, while maintaining the hand orientation shown in FIG. 1.

[0045] FIG. 5 is a representational diagram showing the orientation of a player's arm wrist and hand which is maintained by the brace according to the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 6 a side view showing the tennis training aid, or brace, of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 7 shows a rear view showing the back of the hand of the wearer of the brace of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 8 is an isolated view of a preferred embodiment of the attachment mechanism of the tennis training aid of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0049] The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-11 of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals.

[0050] The discussion below and the embodiments illustrated in the figures particularly relate to the sport of tennis. It will be understood, however, that the invention is equally applicable to other sports which are played with a racquet.

[0051] Furthermore, the discussion and figures make no mention of the size of the brace according to the invention. It will be understood that the brace can be adjusted in size, and/or made and sold in different sizes, to fit any size person. Preferably the brace is fabricated in small, medium and large sizes.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows the preferred orientation of the arm 1, wrist 2 and hand 3 while gripping the handle of a tennis racquet 4. Since for a beginner, at least, this orientation is a somewhat unnatural, training is normally required to impart the proper way to swing the racquet in both forehand and backhand. The aim of the present invention is to maintain the tennis player's hand in the appropriate position while swinging the racquet to strike the ball. This forces the player to hold his/her arm straight while swinging the racquet.

[0053] FIG. 2-4 show a tennis player engaged in swinging a racquet in forehand (FIG. 2) and in backhand (FIG. 3), and in tossing a ball (FIG. 4) during a serve. In all three diagrams, the player maintains the arm, wrist and hand orientation shown in FIG. 1 such that the moving arm remains straight.

[0054] While playing the game of tennis, there is a need to: [0055] (a) ensure proper motion of the arm holding the racquet during both forehand and backhand swings; [0056] (b) prevent the formation of tennis elbow which results from incorrect arm motion; and [0057] (c) improve the ball toss motion during a serve.

[0058] The present invention is intended to fulfill all three needs by maintaining the arm, wrist and hand in the proper orientation when holding the racquet and tossing the ball.

[0059] FIG. 5 shows, with a diagram in side view, an arm 1, wrist 2 and hand 3 in this proper orientation. As illustrated there the plane 6 defined by the surface of the palm of the hand 3 is maintained, to the extent that it is possible and also reasonably comfortable for each individual, at a 90 degree angle with respect to the axis 8 of the arm. In practice, the angle will be somewhat less than 90 degrees, in the range of between 45 and 90 degrees but preferably in the range of 65 to 85 degrees.

[0060] The present invention provides a brace device, designed to fit on a tennis player's arm, wrist and hand, which is used when practicing the forehand and backhand swings of the racquet (either the right or left arm or both) and also the ball toss motion of the arm during a serve. As noted above, the device can be made in different sizes to fit both children and adults of all sizes and ages. The device is intended to be used only to practice one of the three motions at any given time. When practicing the forehand, it is put on the favored/dominant hand. When practicing the backhand and the service toss, it is used on the opposite/non-dominant hand.

[0061] The brace device constrains the wrist and hand against movement with respect to the arm, while allowing the hand to grip a racquet in such a way that the palm faces outward in a plane disposed at an angle in the range of 45 to 90 degrees with respect to the axis of the player's wrist and arm.

[0062] During training, the device is applied to the player's arm, wrist and hand to hold the hand in this orientation. The player practices swinging a racquet and/or tossing a ball in the air until muscles of his/her arm, wrist and hand have learned to maintain this orientation while performing this activity. The device is then removed and, due to the training, the player plays tennis (or another sport that requires a racquet) while continuing to hold the racquet with the arm, wrist and hand in the same orientation.

[0063] Referring to FIG. 6, there is shown a side view of the tennis training aid 10 the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The tennis training aid 10 is in the form of a brace. The tennis training aid 10 includes a glove worn on the hand of the user and a wrist brace 14 worn on the wrist of the user. As shown in FIG. 6, the glove 12 of the tennis training aid 10 is preferably a fingerless glove allowing the user adequate grip on the handle of the tennis or other racquet. Preferably, the glove 12 of the present invention can take form of a bicycle glove, or weightlifting glove.

[0064] The wrist brace 14 can take a number of forms, including a strap secured around the wrist of the user with a hook-and-loop attachment. Other ways of attaching the wrist brace 14 are of course possible, however a hook-and-loop attachment provides for quick placement and removal of the wrist brace 14.

[0065] An attachment mechanism 16 extends between the back of the glove 12 and the wrist brace 14. The attachment mechanism 16 includes a first attachment piece 18 affixed to and extending from and securely attached to the wrist brace 14, and a second attachment piece 20 which extends from and is securely attached to the back side of the glove 12. The first attachment piece 18 and second attachment piece 20 are shown as connected at attachment point 22. As can be seen in FIG. 6, the attachment mechanism 16 maintains the hand of the user at an angle relative to the axis of the wrist and arm of the user. Preferably, this angle is between 65 and 85.

[0066] The attachment mechanism 16 is preferably adjustable in length. This allows adjustment of the attachment mechanism 16 to accommodate for different preferences and flexibility of different users. An adjustment strap 24 is shown as extending from the first attachment piece 18. The adjustment strap 24 can be manipulated so as to increase or decrease the effective length of the attachment mechanism, and thus the angle between the hand and the arm of the user.

[0067] As compared with the rigid plastic brace of the applicant's earlier application and the Bilsey publication, the attachment mechanism 16 of the present invention establishes a minimum angle between the hand and the arm of the user. For example, if the attachment mechanism is set such that the angle between the hand and wrist of the user is as great as the user is comfortable with (say, a minimum angle of 65), the tennis training aid 10 allows the hand to bend further back beyond the minimum angle, which may help with absorbing forces associated with striking a ball. This feature allows for a more comfortable experience as compared to the rigid brace of the prior art and of the applicant's earlier application. The feature likely also helps prevent injury and ensures repeatability of the trained swing when the present invention is not in use. The present invention, due to its flexibility and versatility, it can be use by players of all ages, skill level and flexibility.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 7, there is shown a rear view of the tennis training aid 10 as worn by a user. The user is shown as holding the grip 4 of a tennis racquet. In FIG. 7, it can be seen how the attachment mechanism 16 is in the form of a strap clip. As such, the attachment mechanism 16 has a male member and a female member. The strap clip allows for easy connection and disconnection of the glove 12 from the wrist brace 14. The first attachment piece 18 and second attachment piece 20 are shown as being securely attached to the glove and wrist brace at 28 and 26, respectively. While points 26 and 28 show stitching, the attachment mechanism 16 to be attached to the glove 12 and wrist brace 14 in a number of ways.

[0069] Referring to FIG. 8, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the attachment mechanism 16, in the form of a strap clip. As shown in FIG. 8, the attachment mechanism 16 includes a first attachment piece 18 in the form of a female strap clip member, while the second attachment piece 20 is in the form of a male member of a strap clip. Use of such a clip allows for quick and easy connection and disconnection of the first and second attachment pieces 18 and 20. Other clips can be utilized, including those which allow for fine tuning via dial mechanisms. Preferably, the tennis training aid in accordance with the teachings and present invention include a right-handed glove and a left-handed glove. (Note: FIG. 6 illustrates a left-handed glove, while FIG. 7 illustrates a right-handed glove.)

[0070] A single wrist brace 14 will be provided with the tennis training aid. By providing both left-handed and right-handed gloves, the tennis training aid of the present invention allows for use during forehand, backhand and serve toss motions regardless of whether the user is right-handed or left-handed. In the case of a right-handed user, the user would wear the left-handed glove to practice his or her serve toss or backhand stroke and the right-handed glove to practice his or her forehand. The wrist brace would be positioned on the wrist adjacent whichever hand was wearing the glove the time. Because the attachment mechanism of the present invention allows for quick and easy disconnection and reconnection of the attachment pieces, switching between use of the tennis training aid on the right hand and left hand can be easily and quickly accomplished.

[0071] As compared with prior art (for example, the Bilsey publication), the present invention is much less cumbersome and can be used with any type of grip. The relatively short length of the straps associated with the attachment mechanism of the present invention are much less likely to become entangled or cause awkwardness as compared to the numerous straps associated with the device of the Bilsey publication.

[0072] There has thus been shown and described a novel training device for playing a sport with a racquet which fulfills all the objects and advantages sought therefor. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject, invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention, which is to be limited only by the claims which follow.