SINGLE ARM STICK ATTACHMENT APPARATUSES AND RELATED METHODS

Abstract

The invention is comprised of a novel one arm stick controlling device generally consisting of a handle and cradle to allow force and control of a stick by utilizing the proper fulcrum point of the stick. A removable construction allows the device to be used with different sticks without the need to use special sticks only made for the use of one arm.

Claims

1. An apparatus for allowing a user to control the force and accuracy of a stick using one arm of the user.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0010] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows an example handle section of the attachment.

[0012] FIG. 2 shows an example cradle section of the attachment.

[0013] FIG. 3 shows the example attachment coupled to a hockey stick.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. For purposes of the description hereinafter, it is to be understood that the embodiments described below may assume alternative variations and embodiments. It is also to be understood that the specific articles, compositions, and/or processes described herein are exemplary and should not be considered as limiting. In the description, relative terms such as lower, upper, horizontal, vertical,, above, below, up, down, top and bottom as well as derivative thereof (e.g., horizontally, downwardly, upwardly, etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as connected and interconnected, refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.

[0015] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0016] In the present disclosure the singular forms a, an, and the include the plural reference, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. When values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent about, it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. As used herein, about X (where X is a numerical value) preferably refers to +10% of the recited value, inclusive. For example, the phrase about 8 preferably refers to a value of 7.2 to 8.8, inclusive. Where present, all ranges are inclusive and combinable. For example, when a range of 1 to 5 is recited, the recited range should be construed as including ranges 1 to 4, 1 to 3, 1-2, 1-2 & 4-5, 1-3 & 5, 2-5, and the like. In addition, when a list of alternatives is positively provided, such listing can be interpreted to mean that any of the alternatives may be excluded, e.g., by a negative limitation in the claims. For example, when a range of 1 to 5 is recited, the recited range may be construed as including situations whereby any of 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 are negatively excluded; thus, a recitation of 1 to 5 may be construed as 1 and 3-5, but not 2, or simply wherein 2 is not included. It is intended that any component, element, attribute, or step that is positively recited herein may be explicitly excluded in the claims, whether such components, elements, attributes, or steps are listed as alternatives or whether they are recited in isolation.

[0017] A single arm stick attachment apparatus may have 2 main points of contact. One is a handle and the other is a forearm cradle. Both of these items are movable to accommodate the different sizes needed by end users. It is designed to be a light-weight, strong, and removable device allowing for continued use on several different sticks.

[0018] The handle section is designed with an ergonomic angle to feel more natural when being held. It is constructed so that additional gripping tape or material can be added to preference. It is movable and removable to find the desired location. The size of both the handle and stick attachment section will vary based upon the size of the user's hand and the size of the stick.

[0019] The cradle is built to help hold the forearm snugly in place without becoming too difficult to remove when needed. It is large enough for the forearm to move in and out, yet snug enough to ensure comfort when using. It is movable when determining the position on the stick and easily fastened when location is determined. The size of the cradle and the stick attachment section will vary based on the size of the user's forearm and the stick.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1, an example handle section is shown. As shown the handle section 100 may include a grip 102 and a channel 104. The grip 102 may be attached to the channel 104 and project away from an upper surface of the channel 104. The grip 102 may project away from the channel at a suitable angle according to the comfort of the user and to create an advantageous leverage or force on the grip 102 according to the particular sports activity or other activity being performed by the user. As shown, the grip 102 may have a rectangular cross-section. In other examples, the grip 102 may have an oval, circular, or other shape. The grip 102 may also have a handgrip, taped section, or other surface addition to make the grip easier to grip and manipulate by the user.

[0021] The channel 104 may be positioned at a direction relative to the grip 102 so that the channel extends in a longitudinal direction at an angle from the grip 102. The channel 106 may be open on one side so that the channel 104 may be fit over the item of sporting equipment. The item of sporting equipment may be a stick, such as a hockey stick, field hockey stick, lacrosse stick, golf club, racquet, or other manually-operated sporting equipment. The walls of the channel 104 may define an opening 106 into which the item of sporting equipment may be placed before securing the channel 104 to the item of sporting equipment. The channel 104 may be sufficiently long so that the channel 104 may exert a suitable force on the item of sporting equipment manipulates the grip 102. In some examples, the channel 104 may be in a range of about 8 inches long to about 18 inches long. In other examples, the channel 104 may have other lengths.

[0022] Turning now to FIG. 2, an example cradle section is shown. The cradle section 200 may include a cradle 202 and a second channel 204. The second channel 204 may be configured similarly to the channel 104 described above. The second channel 204 may be configured to fit over and be secured to the item of sporting equipment at a position above (or closer to a shoulder of the user) than the handle section 100.

[0023] The cradle 202 may have a suitable rounded shape and be elongated and fixed to the channel 204 so that the inner portion of the cradle 202 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the channel 204. The cross-sectional shape and size of the cradle 202 may be different on various implementations of the cradle section. As can be appreciate, users may have different size forearms so that the cradle may have different sizes to accommodate different users. In other examples, the cradle 202 may be made of flexible material or thin flexible material. The cradle 202 may be wrapped around a user's arm to allow different size users to adjust the fit of the cradle to the forearm of the user. In such examples (not shown), the cradle 202 may include straps, snaps, hook and loop attachments, or other adjustable strips to allow the cradle 202 to wrapped and secured to a user's arm.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 3, an example assembly 300 is shown. In this example, the assembly 300 is attached to hockey stick 302. As can be appreciated, the assembly 300 may be secured to different items of sporting equipment. In such alternate embodiments, the channels 104 and 204 may have different cross-sectional shapes to accommodate and/or correspond to the shape of the item of sporting equipment.

[0025] The cradle section 200 and the handle section 100 may coupled to the item of sporting equipment using any suitable attachment method. The attachment may be made, for example, using attachment straps with hook and loop fasteners. In other examples, the cradle section 200 and the handle section 100 may be coupled to the item of sporting equipment using sports tape. In still other examples, the cradle section 200 and the handle section 100 may be coupled using fasteners such as screws, nails, rivets, etc. In yet other examples, the cradle section 200 and the handle section 100 may be coupled using adhesive.

[0026] The handle section 100 and the cradle section 200 may be made of various suitable materials. In one example, the handle section 100 and the cradle section 200 are made of a suitable plastic material. In other examples, the handle section 100 and the cradle section 200 may be made of a wood, metal, alloy, or composite material.

[0027] The handle section 100 and the cradle section 200 are preferably removable from the item of sporting equipment. This may allow the handle section 100 and the cradle section 200 to be easily attached and detached. This allows the attachment to be used on existing items of sporting equipment without special modification to the item of sporting equipment.

[0028] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.