Elbow joint angle training aid

Abstract

The embodiment of this athletic training device is for restricting the flexion of the elbow joint of the arm. A stretchable arm sleeve 16 is designed to encircle the arm 22 to be trained. A segment of loop Velcro 18 is adhered to the sleeve starting at the elbow joint 24 and extending toward the wrist on the dorsal surface of the lower arm 14. A separate 90 degree training block 10 made of polyethylene foam with hook Velcro 20 adhered is fastened to the loop Velcro 18 on the stretchable arm sleeve 16 to provide a physical barrier for flexing the elbow joint 24. The athlete can use the device for training in multiple sports. The most common use for the device is for limiting the elbow joint 24 angle to 90 degrees while training for basketball, golf and sprinting or running. The device does not restrict extension of the arm 22.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/042,750, filed Apr. 6, 2008, by the present inventor, which is incorporated by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

1. Field

This application relates to an athletic training device that limits movement of the elbow joint of the arm.

2. Prior Art

Several training aids that limit elbow joint angle during athletic training are represented by U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,877 to Brownell, U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,695 to Mahala, Qualben, and Meurer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,743 to Stephen, Pryor, and Williams, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,152 to Brannen. All of these training aids are designed to limit the elbow joint angle during athletic movement of either basketball or golf.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,877 to Brownell and U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,695 to Mahala, Qualben, and Meurer are designed to assist a basketball player in developing the proper form when shooting a basketball. Specifically, it addresses limiting the elbow joint angle. Both of these devices use rigid materials and multiple straps to affix the device to the arm. Due to the need to position multiple straps, these devices are difficult to properly position on the arm. The hard nature of the materials used could cause injury to others if the device were worn during scrimmages or drills. The weight of these devices creates undo stress on the shooting arm. The rigidity of these devices can be uncomfortable for the user. These devices are cumbersome and uncomfortable to wear as they extend the entire length of the arm.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,743 is designed to assist a basketball player in developing the proper form when shooting a basketball. Specifically, it addresses limiting the elbow joint angle. This device employs a piece of “L” shaped plastic affixed to the bicep with a Velcro strap. The device is made of a rigid material that could cause injury to others if the device were worn during scrimmages or drills. The plastic element of this device is prone to fracture under stress. The hard plastic can also be uncomfortable for the user.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,152 is designed to assist the golfer in developing the proper elbow angle when swinging a golf club. This device employs a triangular shaped hollow piece of plastic affixed to the bicep with a Velcro strap. The plastic element of the device is very rigid and can pinch during use. Due to the shape and rigidity of the plastic triangle, users with larger arms can be restricted to angle less than 90 degrees. The weight of this device can create a less than lifelike feel.

The device noted in this application has several advantages over the prior art. The device is very light and extremely comfortable. The sleeve is comprised of stretchable and adaptable fabric. This allows each user to get a personalized, comfortable fit. The foam block is very light and soft yet provides just enough resistance for training purposes. The entire device is machine washable for improve hygiene over the prior art. The device can be worn while training or scrimmaging with other athletes without the risk of injuring someone with the device. The sleeve provided with this device can be used without the training block for muscle compression and moisture wicking during training and competitive events. These and other advantages will become apparent from consideration of the following description and drawings.

SUMMARY

The embodiment the elbow joint training device is comprised of an arm sleeve made of stretchable, moisture wicking fabric with a strategically adhered loop Velcro patch and a foam training block with hook Velcro adhered. The training block is designed in the shape of a right angle triangle. The athlete simply slides the sleeve on the arm to be trained and affixes the training block via the Velcro adhesion. This gives the athlete a lightweight, comfortable, and safe device that still provides enough resistance for proper elbow joint training.

The object of this device is to give athletes a versatile aid for training the elbow joint angle without limiting the arm motion of the other aspects of the sporting movement. Prior to the start of training or practice session, the athlete simply slides the customized stretchable sleeve on their arm and affixes the desired angle training block to the sleeve. By wearing the device, the elbow joint of the athlete will have a physical obstruction that prevents the athlete from using an elbow joint angle that is detrimental to performance. Consistent use of the device will allow the athlete to develop muscle memory of the proper elbow joint angle thus leading to enhanced performance.

DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS

10	90 Degree Foam Training Block	12	Upper Arm
14	Lower Arm	16	Stretchable Arm Sleeve
18	Loop Velcro	20	Hook Velcro
22	Arm	24	Elbow Joint
26	Lower Arm Attachment Surface	28	Upper Arm Contact Surface
30	Hand of Non Training Arm

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows the elbow joint angle training aid secured on the arm 22 of the user. The stretchable arm sleeve 16 encircles the upper arm 12 and the lower arm 14. The 90 degree foam training block 10 is attached to the stretchable arm sleeve 16 through the adhesion of the loop Velcro 18 on the stretchable arm sleeve 16 and the hook Velcro 20 on the 90 degree foam training block 10.

FIG. 2 shows the stretchable arm sleeve 16 with the loop Velcro 18 adhered to the stretchable arm sleeve 16. The stretchable arm sleeve 16 is designed to encircle the arm 22 to cover the upper arm 12 and the lower arm 14. The loop Velcro 18 is adhered to the sleeve so that when the stretchable arm sleeve 16 is placed on the arm 22 of the user the loop Velcro 18 will be positioned on the dorsal side of the lower arm 14 with the superior border of the loop Velcro 18 at the elbow joint 24.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the 90 degree foam training block 10. The 90 degree foam training block 10 is made in the shape of a right angle triangle. A 90 degree angle is formed at the merger of the lower arm attachment surface 26 and the upper arm contact surface 28. Hook Velcro 20 is adhered to the upper arm contact surface 28.

FIG. 4 shows a view of the 90 degree foam training block 10 facing the upper arm contact surface 28. Hook Velcro 20 is adhered to the upper arm contact surface 28.

Operation—FIG. 5

FIG. 5 shows the device being positioned for use. The stretchable arm sleeve 16 encircles the arm 22. The arm 22 is positioned with an elbow joint 24 angle of 90 degrees. The upper arm contact surface 28 of 90 degree foam training block 10 is placed on the upper arm 12. The hand of the non training arm 30 is used to hold the 90 degree training block 10 on the upper arm 12. The hand of the non training arm 30 advances the 90 degree training block 10 to the lower arm 14 to create an adhesion of the hook Velcro 20 of the lower arm attachment surface 26 to the loop Velcro 18 of the stretchable arm sleeve 16.

Conclusion, Ramification, Scope

Accordingly, the reader will see that the elbow joint angle training aid provides the user of the device with a versatile aid for training the elbow joint angle without limiting the arm motion of the other aspects of the sporting movement. By using the device, the elbow joint of the user will have a physical obstruction that prevents the athlete from learning an elbow joint angle that is detrimental to performance. Consistent use of the elbow joint angle training aid will allow the athlete to develop muscle memory of the proper elbow joint angle thus leading to enhanced performance.

The device will train a basketball player develop the proper elbow joint angle yet still allow the user to complete the shooting motion and project the basketball toward the goal. The result of proper and consistent use of this device will be an increased percentage of made shots by the player. The device can be used to improve a player's free throw, jump shot and set shot. The device provides the user with a simple and comfortable aid to learn the proper elbow joint angle needed to be a successful basketball shooter.

The device will train a golfer to develop the proper dominant arm elbow joint angle yet still allow the user to complete a full golf swing. The result of proper and consistent use of this device will be more proper swing arc and increased ball flight distance after striking the ball with the club. The training block at 90 degrees can be used by a golfer to learn proper elbow joint angle and thus improve his ability to swing the golf club properly.

The device will train a runner or sprinter to maintain the proper elbow joint angle of 90 degrees throughout their sprint or run. The runner or sprinter would wear a training aid on both arms while training. By maintaining the proper arm angle, the runner or sprinter will create muscle memory at the proper arm angle for ideal performance. Energy wasted through excessive arm motion can lead to decrease in running speed and increased fatigue. Consistent maintenance of an elbow joint angle of 90 degrees in both arms while running or sprinting will allow for maximum performance for the athlete.

The purpose of the elbow joint angle training aid is to provide athletes with a simple, comfortable, safe and easy to use device that allows them to develop proper elbow joint angle for the specific sports movement they are trying to learn and develop. The elbow joint angle training aid is an economical device that can be used by people of all ages and genders.

The above description contains many specifications. They provide illustrations of an embodiment but should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the embodiment. The above description exemplifies one embodiment thereof. Other variations are possible. For example, the stretchable sleeve 16 could encircle just the lower arm 14. Also, the loop Velcro 18 could be adhered to the stretchable sleeve 16 in the area of the upper arm 12. Therefore, the scope should be determined by the claims and any legal equivalents, not the embodiment illustrated.

Claims

1. An elbow joint angle training aid for use during athletic and sports training comprising:

A stretchable arm sleeve with adhesive material attached;

A training block made of foam in the shape of a right angle triangle with an adhesive material attached.

2. The training block of claim 1 is an open cell foam.

3. The training block of claim 1 is a closed cell foam.

4. The training block of claim 1 is enclosed with a fabric.

5. The training block of claim 1 is a rubber material.

6. The training block of claim 1 is a synthetic gel material.

7. The training block of claim 1 is enclosed with an air impermeable fabric and the block is made of a closed cell foam, an open cell foam, synthetic gel material, or a rubber material.

8. The training block of claim 1 hook Velcro length is within the range of 1 to 20 inches and the length of upper arm contact surface is within the range of 1 to 15 inches.

9. The training block of claim 1 has an angle formed by the merger of the hook Velcro surface and the upper arm contact surface that is within the range of 45 to 180 degrees.

10. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1 has the adhesive surface located on the upper arm of the sleeve.

11. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1 is made of a neoprene fabric laminated with an adhesive fabric.

12. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1 encircles only the upper arm.

13. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1 encircles only the lower arm.

14. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1 straps around the arm and fastens upon itself.

15. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1 straps around the upper arm and fastens upon itself.

16. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1 straps around the lower arm and fastens upon itself.

17. The training block of claim 1 is permanently affixed to the stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1.

18. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1 with adhesive material affixed to the sleeve in any area on the sleeve.

19. The training block of claim 1 shaped like a square.

20. The training block of claim 1 is shaped like a rectangle.

21. The training block of claim 1 is shaped like an obtuse triangle.

22. The training block of claim 1 is shaped like an acute triangle.

23. The training block of claim 1 is shaped like an equilateral triangle.

24. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1 and the training pad of claim 1 used to train human arm, wrist, and joint angle positions during athletic and sports training.

25. The stretchable arm sleeve of claim 1 and the training pad of claim 1 used to train the arm position relative to the torso of the user for athletic and sports training.