ATHLETIC SYSTEM AND ASSEMBLY FOR SWINGING A BAT OR CLUB AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING THE ATHLETIC ASSEMBLY

Abstract

An athletic assembly is provided that includes an elongated strap and an anchor body. The strap extends between a wrist portion and an anchor portion with an intermediate portion extending therebetween. The wrist portion is configured to be joined to a wrist of an athlete wearing the assembly. The anchor body is coupled to the anchor portion of the strap and is configured to be joined with a hand of the athlete in a position disposed away from the wrist portion. The intermediate portion provides a rotative force to one or more of the hand or the wrist of the athlete when the intermediate portion is pulled across the hand from the wrist to the anchor body. The rotative force assists the athlete in rolling the one or more of the hand or the wrist during a swinging action of athletic equipment.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/432,932, filed on Jan. 14, 2011, and 61/440,562, filed on Feb. 8, 2011. Each of the above applications is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Generally, athletic competitions that involve swinging equipment involve wrist movement to generate power when swinging the equipment. For example, swinging a baseball bat, a softball bat, a golf club, and a cricket bat can involve rotation of the wrist and hand that leads the swing of the bat or club. The muscles that control rotation of the wrist can add extra energy and speed to the swinging bat or club. As the energy and/or speed of the bat or club increases, the distance that the ball being struck by the bat or club travels may increase and/or the path that the ball travels may be pulled, or travel along a draw or hook trajectory. For example, during a baseball swing, the bottom hand on the bat typically travels ahead of the upper hand on the bat along the path of the swing. The top hand on the bat trails the bottom hand as the hands swing the bat toward the approaching ball. During the swing, the wrists roll over, or rotate forward, to generate power when striking the ball.

If the leading wrist is weak, such as by rotating a relatively small amount, rotating slowly, or not rotating, the leading wrist may break down when the bat or club strikes the ball. The breaking down of the leading wrist can reduce the power that is imparted to the ball by the bat or club at contact between the ball and the bat or club. Moreover, the ball may not be pulled along a draw or hooked trajectory. For example, a baseball or softball may not be hit toward the third baseman or left field for a right handed baseball batter or may not be hit toward the first baseman or right field for a left handed baseball batter. Instead, the struck ball may follow a fade or slice trajectory. Some known athletic equipment does not aid a user in rolling over the leading wrist during the swinging motion of a bat or club toward a ball.

A need remains for an athletic assembly that aids an athlete in rolling over the leading wrist during a swing to generate additional power when swinging athletic equipment at a ball and/or to pull the ball once the ball is struck.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one embodiment, an athletic assembly for swinging a bat or club is provided having a wrist portion configured to be secured to a wrist of a hand. An anchor portion is configured to be secured to a trailing end of the hand. An intermediate portion extends between the wrist portion and the anchor portion. The intermediate portion is joined to the wrist portion at a leading end of the hand. The intermediate portion extends along a dorsal side of the hand. The intermediate portion is configured to pull the anchor portion to generate rotation of the hand about the wrist.

In another embodiment, a method of generating rotation in a wrist is provided. The method includes securing a wrist portion of an athletic assembly to a wrist of the hand. An anchor portion of the athletic assembly is secured to a trailing end of the hand. An intermediate portion is joined to the wrist portion at a leading end of the hand. The intermediate portion extends between the wrist portion and the anchor portion along a dorsal side of the hand. The intermediate portion is configured to pull the anchor portion to generate rotation of the hand about the wrist.

In another embodiment, an athletic assembly is provided that includes a glove configured to receive a hand of an individual. The glove has a palmer side configured to grip sporting equipment and an opposite dorsal side. The athletic assembly also includes an elongated strap that has a wrist portion and an anchor portion. The elongated strap is configured to extend across one of the dorsal side or the palmer side of the glove. The wrist portion is configured to couple to a wrist region of the hand, and the anchor portion is configured to couple to the glove at a corner region of the hand. The strap provides a rotative force to one or more of the hand or the wrist of the individual when the strap is pulled across the hand.

In some embodiments, the anchor portion and the wrist portion are readily separable from the glove. In other embodiments, one of the anchor portion or the wrist portion is not readily separable from the glove while the other is readily separable from the glove. In other embodiments, each of the anchor portion and the wrist portion is secured to the glove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a dorsal side view of a hand.

FIG. 2 is a dorsal side view of an athletic assembly formed in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a dorsal side view of an athletic assembly formed in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a dorsal side view of an athletic assembly formed in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a dorsal side view of an athletic assembly formed in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly shown in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a left hand and a right hand swinging a club (or other equipment).

FIG. 11 is a dorsal side view of an athletic assembly formed in accordance with another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly shown in FIG. 11.

FIGS. 13 through 19 illustrate another embodiment of an athletic assembly.

FIG. 20 illustrates an athletic strap system in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.

FIG. 1 is a dorsal side view of the left hand 100. FIG. 1 generally illustrates various anatomical parts of a left hand 100, which may be referred to throughout the following description regarding the various embodiments. While the description herein focuses on a left hand, the description also may apply to the right hand. Moreover, various elements or features of elongated straps may be described as being located with reference to an anatomical part of the hand 100 or to a corresponding part of a glove. In embodiments where a glove is used, it is understood that the elongated straps may be attached to the glove proximate to the referenced anatomical part. For example, if a part of the elongated strap is described as being “positioned at the proximal phalange 128,” the referenced part may be attached to the glove or positioned alongside the glove “at the proximal phalange 128.” In some cases, the elongated strap may be directly coupled to the bare hand 100. As used herein, when a feature or element is “proximate to” (or another like term) a referenced part, the feature or element may be near the referenced part and may be directly at or over the referenced part.

The hand 100 includes a dorsal side 102 and an opposite palmar side 134 (shown in FIG. 3). The dorsal side 102 alternatively may be referred to as a back side of the hand 100 and the palmar side 134 as the palm of the hand 100. The hand 100 laterally extends between a leading end or edge 104 and an opposite trailing end or edge 106. With respect to a left hand 100, the leading end 104 represents the left side of the hand 100 and the trailing end 106 represents the right side of the hand 100 from the perspective of a person viewing the dorsal side 102. With respect to a right hand 100, the leading end 104 represents the right side of the hand 100 and the trailing end 106 represents the left side of the hand 100 when viewed from the perspective of a person viewing the dorsal side 102. The hand 100 also extends between a proximal end 108 and a distal end 110. The proximal end 108 joins the hand 100 to an arm while the distal end 110 corresponds to the fingertips of a person.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a gloved left hand 1000 and a gloved right hand 1002 swinging a club 1004 (or other equipment). FIG. 10 is used as an illustration of the rotating or rolling motion of the hands 1000, 1002 during the swinging act. The hands 1000, 1002 are shown for a right-handed athlete, but the discussion herein may apply to a left-handed athlete with the hands being reversed.

During a swing, the leading end 104 (FIG. 1) of the hand 1000 generally leads the movement of the hand 1000 through a swing arc 1006. The swing arc 1006 represents at least a portion of the path that the hands 1000, 1002 follow during the swing. In one embodiment, the athlete rotates his or her hands 1000, 1002 generally along a rotation arc 1008. As shown, the rotation arc 1008 generally extends about or around a longitudinal axis 1010 of the equipment 1004. For example, the longitudinal axis 1010 may extend through a shaft of a golf club or baseball bat. Rotating the hands 1000, 1002 along the rotation arc 1008 can assist in providing more power to the swing and to drive the ball being struck farther. Additionally, rotating the hands 1000, 1002 can help to pull the trajectory of the ball along a draw or hook trajectory, as opposed to a fade or slice trajectory.

Returning to the discussion of the hand 100 shown in FIG. 1, during an athletic event, the hand 100 may grip and swing equipment, such as a bat or club. The hand 100 grasps the equipment so that the leading end 104 of the hand 100 leads the hand 100 and the trailing end 106 of the hand 100 trails the leading end 104 as the hand 100 rotates through the rotation arc 1008 (shown in FIG. 10). The leading end 104 is referred to as leading as the leading end 104 precedes the trailing end 106 along the rotation arc 1008.

Carpals 112 in the hand 100 form a wrist 114 at the proximal end 108 of the hand 100. Metacarpals 115 extend from the carpals 112 in the wrist 114 toward the distal end 110 of the hand 100. Fingers 116 extend from the metacarpals 115 toward the distal end 110. The fingers 116 include a thumb 118, an index finger 120, a middle finger 122, a ring finger 124, and a little finger 126. The thumb 118 is positioned at the trailing end 106 of the hand 100. The little finger 126 is positioned at the leading end 104 of the hand 100.

Each of the index finger 120, the middle finger 122, the ring finger 124, and the little finger 126 includes a proximal phalange 128 joined to a metacarpal 115. An intermediate phalange 130 extends from each proximal phalange 128. A distal phalange 132 extends from each intermediate phalange 130. The distal phalanges 132 form the distal end 110 of the hand 100. The thumb 118 includes a proximal phalange 128 and a distal phalange 132 joined to the proximal phalange 128.

Example embodiments described herein include apparatuses that are configured to assist an individual in controlling a rotation of his or her hand(s) during a swing of sporting equipment (e.g., golf club, baseball bat, and the like). For example, athletic assemblies described herein may increase a rotative force in such cases where it is desired. In other embodiments, athletic assemblies may be configured to impede or decrease rotational movement by the hand(s) during the swing. More specifically, various embodiments may provide a force that extends directionally between a corner region or area 144 of the hand 100 and a wrist region or area 146 of the hand 100. The wrist region 146 is generally indicated by a dashed line and may include an intersection of the wrist 114 and the metacarpals 115 proximate to the leading end 104. The corner region 144 is generally indicated by a dashed line and may include portions of the metacarpals 115 or proximal phalanges 128 of the middle finger 122, the index finger 120, and the thumb 118.

The force may extend at an angle with respect to the wrist 114. For instance, a lateral axis 140 may extend through the wrist 114 and the wrist region 146 in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the forearm (not shown) of the individual. The force provided by the various embodiments described herein may extend directionally at an angle θ with respect to a lateral axis 140. The angle θ may be from about 10° to about 80° and any number or range therebetween. The direction of force may also be described with respect to an axis that extends along the forearm. For example, the force may extend at an angle from about 80° to about 10° and any number or range therebetween with respect to the forearm axis.

In some embodiments, different components are readily separable from each other. In such embodiments, the two components may be separated from each other without damage to either of the components and without damage to the fastening mechanism. For example, readily separable components may be coupled to each other through hook and loop fasteners, buttons, hooks, re-usable adhesive, and the like. In some cases, an individual may be able to adjust the components within a reasonable period of time (e.g., between pitches of an at-bat in baseball or between golf swings) without substantial delay. In other embodiments, two components are not readily separable from each other. For example, the two components may be stitched or sewn together and/or an adhesive may permanently bond the two components together. In such embodiments, separating the two components would cause damage to at least one of the components and/or the fastening mechanism (e.g., stitching would be ripped). Nonetheless, the components may still be adjusted by an individual within a reasonable period of time.

For example, FIG. 2 is a dorsal side view of one embodiment of an athletic assembly 200 that is used to swing a club, bat, or other equipment. FIG. 3 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly 200 shown in FIG. 2. In some embodiments, the athletic assembly 200 includes an elongated strap 202 (FIG. 2) and a glove 204, which can be similar to a baseball or softball batting glove or golf glove. The strap 202 can be positioned over and secured to the hand 100 along the glove 204 (e.g., along an exterior surface of the glove 204 and/or between layers of the glove 204). Alternatively, the athletic assembly 200 may be used with the strap 202 only (i.e., without the glove 204). For example, the strap 202 may be used with a bare hand 100 that is not wearing a glove 204. The strap 202 may be formed integrally with the glove 204 or may be separate from the glove 204. When formed integrally with the glove 204, at least a portion or part of the strap 202 is coupled (e.g., sewed, bonded through an adhesive, and the like). In such embodiments, the strap 202 may remain coupled to the glove 204 when not be used by the individual.

The strap 202 may include a wrist portion or end 206, an anchor portion or end 212 (FIG. 2), and an intermediate portion 208 (FIG. 2) that extends between the wrist and anchor portions 206, 212. The strap 202 may be one continuous piece of material or may include multiple types of materials connected to each other. For example, the intermediate portion 208 and the anchor portion 212 may be the same piece of material, but the wrist portion 206 may be a different type of material. The wrist portion 206 is configured to be secured to the wrist 114 of the hand 100. In one embodiment, the wrist portion 206 may be formed integrally with the glove 204. For example, the wrist portion 206 may be sewn and/or bonded to the glove 204, or the wrist portion 206 may constitute an extension of existing material of the glove 204.

In the illustrated embodiment, the wrist portion 206 is wrapped around the wrist 114. For example, the wrist portion 206 may be wrapped directly around the bare wrist 114 (FIG. 1) of the individual or the wrist portion 206 may be wrapped around a portion of the glove 204 that covers the wrist 114 of the user. The wrist portion 206 may include a fastener, such as hook and loop fasteners, to secure the wrist portion 206 to the wrist 114. For example, the wrist portion 206 may be coupled to the wrist 114 by wrapping the wrist portion 206 around the wrist 114 one or more times and affixing a distal section 150 of the wrist portion 206 to itself or another fastener. Alternatively, the wrist portion 206 may be secured by coupling the wrist portion 206 to a button, using a zipper, or another fastening technique.

The intermediate portion 208 of the strap 202 extends from the wrist portion 206 to the anchor portion 212. In the illustrated embodiment, the intermediate portion 208 extends across the dorsal side 102 of the hand 100. The intermediate portion 208 extends at least partially laterally between the leading end 104 of the hand 100 and the trailing end 106 of the hand 100. The intermediate portion 208 may extend in a general direction from the wrist region 146 (FIG. 1) to the corner region 144 (or vice versa). The intermediate portion 208 extends across at least one of the metacarpals 115 of the hand 100. In particular embodiments, the intermediate portion 208 extends across at least two metacarpals 115. In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor portion 212 is positioned at the proximal phalange 128 of the index finger 120. In the athletic assembly 200 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the intermediate portion 208 may lie across the dorsal side 102 of the hand 100 at an angle with respect to the wrist region 146 (FIG. 1) and extend to the corner region 144 (FIG. 1), which is proximate to the intersection of the proximal phalange 128 (shown in FIG. 1) and the metacarpal 115 (shown in FIG. 1) of the index finger 120.

The anchor portion 212 of the strap 202 is joined to an anchor body 214. The anchor body 214 anchors, or secures, one end of the strap 202 to the hand 100. The anchor body 214 extends substantially transverse to the strap 202. The wrist portion 206 couples or secures the opposite end of the strap 202 to the wrist 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor portion 212 of the strap 202 includes a loop 216 (FIG. 2) that extends around the anchor body 214 such that the strap 202 is coupled to the anchor body 214. For example, the loop 216 may extend around the anchor body 214 and be secured to itself (e.g., the loop 216 is secured to the loop 216) by stitching the loop 216 to itself, or by using another fastening mechanism, such as hook and loop fasteners, buttons, hooks, and the like. Alternatively, the anchor body 214 may be fastened to the anchor portion 212 without the loop 216. For example, the anchor body 214 may be integrally formed with the anchor portion 212 or be secured directly to the anchor portion 212. In some alternative embodiments, the anchor portion 212 and the anchor body 214 are the same piece of material.

In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor body 214 is configured as a ring that is positioned on a proximal phalange 128 (e.g., finger) of the hand 100. The anchor body 214 secures the strap 202 to the hand 100 and, in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, secures the strap 202 to the index finger 120. The anchor body 214 is illustrated as being secured to the index finger 120. For example, the anchor body 214 can be a loop that is positioned over the index finger 120 by an athlete wearing the glove 204. Optionally, the anchor body 214 may be secured to another finger, such as the middle finger 122. In another embodiment, the anchor body 214 may be formed integrally with or otherwise attached to the glove 204. For example, the anchor body 214 may be stitched to or otherwise secured to the glove 204 such that the anchor body 214 may not be separated from the glove 204 without damaging the anchor body 214 and/or glove 204. In another embodiment where the glove 204 is not worn, the anchor body 214 may be a loop that is positioned over one or more of the fingers (e.g., the index and middle fingers 120, 122) with the wrist portion 206 wrapped around the wrist 114.

In operation, the anchor portion 212 is secured to the index finger 120 and the wrist portion 206 of the strap 202 is pulled away from the anchor body 214 toward to the wrist 114. The pulling of the strap 202 toward the wrist 114 provides a user-adjustable tightness such that the intermediate portion 208 extends across the dorsal side 102 of the hand 100 and the intermediate portion 208 is taut across the hand 100. The wrist portion 206 is secured to the wrist 114 as described above to maintain the intermediate portion 208 of the strap 202 in a taut state and to cause the strap 202 to provide a force across the hand 100 from the trailing end 106 of the hand 100 toward the leading end 104. This force may generally extend across the dorsal side of the hand 100 along the arrows shown in FIG. 2. In particular embodiments, the strap 202 may have a first tension when the palmar side 134 faces the individual and a second tension when the hand 100 is rotated to grip the sporting equipment. More specifically, when the individual tightens the strap 202 by pulling the strap 202 toward the wrist region 146, the palmar side 134 may be generally facing the individual. When the hand of the individual is then rotated and/or the hand grips the sporting equipment, the tension in the strap 202 may increase. The individual may sense this tension before or during the swing of the sporting equipment.

During a swing, the strap 202 can aid the athlete in swinging equipment such as a bat or golf club. As described above, the athlete may swing the equipment and attempt to roll over or rotate the leading hand 100 during the swing. The intermediate portion 208 of the strap 202 creates a tension on the anchor portion 212 during a swing. The tension on the anchor portion 212 pulls the anchor portion 212 and can increase the force that rolls the hand 100 and wrist 114 such that the trailing end 106 of the hand 100 rotates or rolls toward the leading end 104 of the hand 100.

The strap 202 may be utilized to generate additional power when swinging equipment, for example, a golf club or a bat. The additional rotation force provided by the taut strap 202 can increase the power and/or speed at which the hand 100 and wrist 114 rotate during the swing to increase the power imparted from the equipment to the ball and/or pull the ball. The taut strap 202 may reduce the likelihood that the athlete will have weak wrists during the swing.

The strap 202 may be utilized to avoid or reduce a fade or a slice in a golf swing. For example, an undesirable fade or a slice may be reduced by increasing rotation of the hand 100 and wrist 114 during the swing. As described above, the strap 202 can increase the force that aids in rotating the hand 100 and wrist 114 during a swing. As the amount and/or speed of rotation of the hand 100 and wrist 114 increases, the ball that is struck by the club or bat held by the hand 100 may be less likely to follow a fade or slice trajectory.

In one embodiment, the strap 202 is adjustable to change the slack in the intermediate portion 208. For example, the wrist portion 206 may be pulled less tight around the wrist 114 to make the intermediate portion 208 less taut. Alternatively, the wrist portion 206 may be pulled tighter to achieve an opposite effect. The changing slack to tautness in the intermediate portion 208 can vary the force applied by the strap 202. For example, a tighter intermediate portion 208 may provide more force and cause increased rotation of the hand 100 and wrist 114 while a looser intermediate portion 208 can provide less force and/or less rotation of the hand 100 and wrist 114.

In some embodiments, the wrist portion 206, the intermediate portion 208, and the anchor portion 212 comprise the same material. The material may have a desired degree of elasticity to provide a desired rotative force. Example materials for the different portions of the strap 202 may include rubber or latex, nylon, polyester, elastane, plastics, and the like, including any combination thereof. In other embodiments, the wrist portion 206, the intermediate portion 208, and the anchor portion 212 comprise different materials. For example, the intermediate portion 208 and/or the anchor portion 212 may be more elastic than the wrist portion 206.

In some embodiments, the wrist portion 206, the intermediate portion 208, and the anchor portion 212 form an elongated strip with the same dimensions. However, in other embodiments, the wrist portion 206, the intermediate portion 208, and the anchor portion 212 have different dimensions. For example, in some embodiments, the wrist portion 206 may have wider dimensions and/or comprise a sturdier material than the intermediate portion 208. In such embodiments, the wrist portion 206 may be configured to provide additional support and/or protection to the wrist 114, similar to the support and/or protection provided by batting gloves. Likewise, in some embodiments, the anchor body 214 may have dimensions and comprise a material that permits the anchor body 214 to be wrapped about a finger or stitched to the glove 204 while also withstanding the force applied by the intermediate portion 208. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the strap 202 is not a straight piece of material. For example, the wrist portion 206 and the intermediate portion 208 may form an angle with respect to each other. The angle could be similar to a dogleg (e.g., from about 20° to about 60° or more). In such embodiments, it may be easier for an individual to transition from the dorsal side 102 to the wrist 114 when wrapping the strap 202 about the wrist 114.

In another embodiment, the strap 202 may be repositioned such that the intermediate portion 208 extends along the palmar side 134 of the hand 100. For example, the strap 202 may extend from the anchor body 214 and across the palmar side 134 to the wrist portion 206. Such a position may cause the strap 202 to provide a force that lessens the degree or speed of rotation of the hand 100 and/or wrist 114 during a swing. An athlete who is attempting to hit a ball along a fade or slice trajectory, or to reduce a hook or draw trajectory of the ball, may arrange the strap 202 in such a manner to achieve such a trajectory.

FIG. 4 is a dorsal side view of another embodiment of an athletic assembly 300 that is used to swing a club, bat, or other equipment. FIG. 5 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly 300 shown in FIG. 4. The athletic assembly 300 is similar to the athletic assembly 200 (FIG. 2). At least one difference between the athletic assembly 300 and the athletic assembly 200 is that the anchor body 214 is secured to the thumb 118 of the hand 100. For example, instead of positioning the anchor body 214 around the index finger 120, the anchor body 214 may be positioned around the thumb 118 of the hand 100. In another embodiment, the anchor body 214 may be moved to another position, such as by placing the anchor body 214 around another finger or combination of fingers (e.g., the index and middle fingers 120, 122).

An athlete may change the location of the anchor body 214 based on a physical comfort of the different positions. Additionally, the different locations of the anchor body 214 may change the rotation of the hand 100 and/or wrist 114 of different athletes in different ways. For example, a first athlete may find it desirable to position the anchor body 214 around the index finger 120 in order to rotate the hand 100 and/or wrist 114 while a second athlete may find it desirable to position the anchor body 214 around the thumb 118 to achieve the same or substantially same result. Similar to the athletic assembly 200, the strap 202 (FIG. 4) of the athletic assembly 300 may be tightened across the dorsal side of the hand 100 such that the strap 202 provides a force that aids an athlete in rolling or rotating his or her hand 100 and/or wrist 114 during a swing of a club or bat at a ball. This force may generally extend across the dorsal side of the hand 100 along the arrows shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a dorsal side view of another embodiment of an athletic assembly 400. FIG. 7 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly 400 shown in FIG. 6. The athletic assembly 400 may be similar to the athletic assembly 200 (FIG. 2). One difference between the athletic assemblies 200, 400 is that the athletic assembly 400 includes an anchor body 402 that is formed as a relatively short strap extending across a portion of the dorsal side of the hand 100. The strap 202 (FIG. 6) includes the loop 216 which extends around and couples the strap 202 to the anchor body 402.

In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor body 402 is secured to the glove 204. For example, the anchor body 402 may be stitched or otherwise affixed to the glove 204. The anchor body 402 may extend transverse to the strap 202. In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor body 402 extends from between the thumb 118 and the index finger 120 toward the middle finger 122. Alternatively, the anchor body 402 may extend in a different direction and/or between different parts of the hand 100. The anchor body 402 may extend across the proximal phalanges 128 of the index finger 120 and the middle finger 122 across the dorsal side of the hand 100.

Similar to as described above, the strap 202 is tightened across the dorsal side 102 of the hand 100 to provide a force generally across the dorsal side 102 along the direction of the arrows shown in FIG. 6. This force can aid an athlete in rolling or rotating his or her wrist 114 and/or hand 100 during a swing of a club or bat.

FIG. 8 is a dorsal side view of another embodiment of an athletic assembly 500 that is used to swing a club, bat, or other equipment. FIG. 9 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly 500 shown in FIG. 8. The athletic assembly 500 may be similar to the athletic assembly 400 (FIG. 6). The athletic assembly 500 includes an anchor body 502 (FIG. 8) joined to the anchor portion 212 (FIG. 8). The anchor body 502 may be secured to the glove 204. For example, the anchor body 502 may be attached to the glove 204 proximate to the distal ends of the metacarpals 115 of the hand 100. A trailing end 504 (FIG. 8) of the anchor body 502 is attached to the glove 204 between the metacarpal 115 of the thumb 118 and the metacarpal 115 of the index finger 120. A leading end 506 (FIG. 8) of the anchor body 502 is attached to the glove 204 at the metacarpal 115 of the middle finger 122. The anchor body 502 extends across the metacarpals 115 and transverse to the strap 202. The loop 216 at the anchor portion 212 is secured to the anchor body 502.

The strap 202 is tightened to provide a force generally along the arrows shown in FIG. 8 and across the dorsal side 102 of the hand 100. This force can assist an athlete in rolling his or her hand 100 and/or wrist 114 during the swing of a bat or club.

In another embodiment, the strap 202 in one or more of the above embodiments may extend along the palmar side of the hand 100. For example, the strap 202 may extend across the palm of the hand 100. The anchor body to which the strap 202 is coupled may be rotated (in the case of the anchor bodies formed in the shape of a ring or loop in FIGS. 2 through 5) so that the strap 202 extends across the palm. Alternatively, in the case of the strap-shaped anchor body of FIGS. 6 through 9, the anchor body may be coupled to the glove on the palm side of the hand 100. Extending the strap 202 across the palmar side of the hand 100 may have an opposite effect when compared to the strap 202 extending across the dorsal side. For example, the strap 202 may provide a force that inhibits rotation or rolling of the hand 100 and/or wrist 114. As a result, the athlete may be less likely to pull or draw the ball that is struck during the athlete's swing. Instead, the athlete may be more likely to fade or slice the ball. The athlete may switch positions of the strap 202 and/or swing athletic swing assemblies during a game, match, or round to vary the forces supplied by the assemblies and change the direction or trajectories along which the athlete strikes and hits the balls.

FIG. 11 is a dorsal side view of another embodiment of an athletic assembly 1100 that is used to swing a club, bat, or other equipment. FIG. 12 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly 1100 shown in FIG. 11. The athletic assembly 1100 may be similar to the athletic assembly 200 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The athletic assembly 1100 can be positioned over and secured to the hand 100, similar to a baseball or softball batting glove or golf glove. The athletic assembly 1100 includes an elongated strap 1102 (shown in FIG. 11). In the illustrated embodiment, the strap 1102 is utilized with a glove 1104. Alternatively, the strap 1102 may be used without the glove 1104. For example, the strap 1102 may be used with a bare hand 100 that is not wearing the glove 1104. The strap 1102 may be formed integrally with the glove 1104 or may be separate from the glove 1104.

The strap 1102 extends between a wrist portion or end 1106 (shown in FIG. 12) and an anchor portion or end 1112. Similar to the wrist portion 206 (shown in FIG. 2) of the assembly 200 (shown in FIG. 2), the wrist portion 1106 is configured to be secured to the wrist 114 of the hand 100. An intermediate portion 1108 (shown in FIG. 11) of the strap 1102 extends from the wrist portion 1106 to the anchor portion 1112. The intermediate portion 1108 may be similar to the intermediate portion 208 (shown in FIG. 2) of the assembly 200.

The anchor portion 1112 is joined to the intermediate portion 1108 and is positioned at the proximal phalange 128 of the index finger 120. The anchor portion 1112 is joined to an anchor body 1114 (shown in FIG. 11). Similar to the anchor body 214 (shown in FIG. 2) of the athletic assembly 200 (shown in FIG. 2), the anchor body 1114 anchors, or secures, one end of the strap 1102 to the hand 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor portion 1112 includes a loop 1116 that extends around the anchor body 1114 such that the strap 1102 is coupled to the anchor body 1114.

In the illustrated embodiment, the anchor body 1114 is similar to the anchor body 214 (shown in FIG. 2) of the athletic assembly 200 (shown in FIG. 2). For example, the anchor body 1114 is formed as a loop or ring around the index finger 120. One difference between the athletic assemblies 200, 1100 is where the anchor portion 1112 of the strap 1102 is joined with the anchor body 1114. In the athletic assembly 200 (and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3), the anchor portion 212 of the strap 202 is joined to the anchor body 214 approximately halfway between the thumb and index finger. For example, the anchor portion 212 is approximately centered or is centered between the index finger and thumb. By “centered,” it is meant that the anchor portion 212 extends over or is located over the midway point or plane between the index finger and thumb. In contrast, the anchor portion 1112 of the strap 1102 is joined to the anchor body 1114 in an offset position. For example, the anchor portion 1112 is not approximately centered or is centered between the index finger and thumb. Instead, the anchor portion 1112 is disposed closer to the thumb than the index finger. Alternatively, the anchor portion 1112 may be located closer to the index finger than the thumb. Offsetting the anchor portion 1112 may change the force that is applied by the strap 1102 onto the hand 100 relative to one or more other positions of the anchor portion 1112. For example, offsetting the anchor portion 1112 may cause the force applied by the strap 1102 to rotate or roll the hand 100 and/or wrist 114 at a different speed or along a different axis.

FIG. 13 is a dorsal side view of another embodiment of an athletic assembly 1300 that is used to swing a club, bat, or other equipment. FIG. 14 is a palmar side view of the athletic assembly 1300 shown in FIG. 13. FIGS. 15 through 19 provide additional views of the fitting of the athletic assembly 1300 to a hand of an athlete. The athletic assembly 1300 may be similar to one or more other athletic assemblies shown and described herein. The athletic assembly 1300 can be positioned over and secured to the hand 100, similar to a baseball or softball batting glove or golf glove. The athletic assembly 1300 includes an elongated strap 1302. In the illustrated embodiment, the strap 1302 is utilized with a glove 1304. Alternatively, the strap 1302 may be used without the glove 1304.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the strap 1302 can be wrapped around the index finger of the hand 100 one or more times to secure the strap 1302 to the index finger. Alternatively, the strap 1302 may be wrapped to another appendage or part of the hand. In another embodiment, the strap 1302 is fixed to the glove 1304, such as by stitching the strap 1302 to the glove 1304 at or near the index finger (or another finger or thumb).

The strap 1302 is then placed or pulled across the hand toward the wrist 114, as shown in FIG. 17. The strap 1302 includes at attachment portion 1308, which is shown as a section of hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, the attachment portion 1308 may include a zipper, button/hole combination, or other component to attach the strap 1302 to itself. For example, the strap 1302 is wrapped around the wrist and the attachment portion 1308 is used to secure the strap 1302 around the wrist 114, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19. A similar attachment portion may be provided on the opposite end of the strap 1302 to secure the opposite end around the finger or thumb of the hand 100. As described above, the strap 1302 is pulled taut to provide a force that assists the athlete in rolling or rotating the hand and/or wrist during a swing. The strap 1302 also may assist in keeping the glove 1304 tight to the hand 100.

FIG. 20 illustrates an athletic strap system 2000 in accordance with one embodiment. The system 2000 can be worn on both hands at the same time. For example, the system 2000 includes a plurality of athletic assemblies 2002, 2004, with a first athletic assembly 2002 worn on a leading hand 2006 and a second athletic assembly 2004 worn on a trailing hand 2008. The leading hand 2006 is the hand that moves ahead or in advance of the trailing hand 2008 during a swing. For example, for a right-handed batter or golfer, the left hand is the leading hand 2006 and the right hand is the trailing hand 2008 as the left hand moves ahead of the right hand when the batter swings a bat or when the golfer swings a club forward of the backswing. For a left-handed batter or golfer, the right hand is the leading hand 2006 and the left hand is the trailing hand 2008. The illustrated embodiment shows the system 2000 worn by a right-handed batter or golfer.

The athletic assemblies 2002, 2004 shown in FIG. 20 are similar to the athletic assembly 1300 shown in FIG. 13. Alternatively, the athletic assemblies 2002, 2004 may be similar to another strap or athletic assembly, such as, but not limited to, the athletic assemblies 200, 300, 400, 500, and 1100 described above. While both the athletic assemblies 2002, 2004 shown in FIG. 20 are similar, in another embodiment, the athletic assemblies 2002, 2004 may be different assemblies.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first athletic assembly 2002 on the leading hand 2006 includes a strap that is worn across the dorsal, or back, side of the leading hand 2006 and the second athletic assembly 2004 includes a strap that is worn across the palmar, or opposite, side of the trailing hand 2008. Similar to as described above, the athletic assemblies 2002, 2004 can be tightened to aid in rolling or rotating the hands and/or wrists of the athlete wearing the athletic assemblies 2002, 2004. For example, the first athletic assembly 2002 can be tightened across the dorsal side of the leading hand 2006 and help to rotate the leading hand 2006 and/or wrist during the swinging of a bat or glove. The second athletic assembly 2004 can be tightened across the palmar side of the trailing hand 2008 and help to rotate the trailing hand 2008 and/or wrist during the swing. Due to the relative positions of the leading and trailing hands 2006, 2008 on a bat or club during a swing, the first athletic assembly 2002 pulls or applies a force that assists in rotating the leading hand 2006 (and/or wrist) and the second athletic assembly 2004 pulls or applies a force that assists in rotating the trailing hand 2008 (and/or wrist) in the general directions that the hands 2006, 2008 (and/or wrists) rotate during the swing. For example, the first athletic assembly 2002 applies a force to the leading hand 2006 along arrow 2010 and the second athletic assembly 2004 applies a force to the trailing hand 2008 along arrow 2012 to help rotate both hands 2006, 2008 during the swing.

Several example embodiments of athletic assemblies that can assist an athlete in turning, rolling, or rotating his or her hand or wrist during the swing of a club or bat are shown and described herein. One or more of the athletic assemblies described in this application can be added to an existing glove. For example, an athletic assembly described above can be stitched to or otherwise affixed to a preexisting, traditional, or known batting glove or golf glove to retrofit the glove with the athletic assembly. The athletic assembly can be located on top of, or outside of, the glove, or alternatively may be worn inside the glove, such as between the glove and the hand disposed in the glove. In another embodiment, the athletic assembly may extend through the glove, such as by being at least partially disposed between outer layers of the glove, with one of the outer layers contacting the athlete's hand when the glove is worn and another outer layer forming at least part of the exterior of the glove. One or more of the athletic assemblies can assist in keeping a glove tight against or onto an athlete's hands. For example, the athletic assemblies can be tightened to keep a batter's glove or golfer's glove tight against the batter's or golfer's hand and thereby reduce the need to repeatedly tighten the glove.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments, the embodiments are by no means limiting and are example embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various embodiments should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.

This written description uses examples to disclose the various embodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to practice the various embodiments, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. An athletic assembly comprising:

an elongated strap extending between a wrist portion and an anchor portion with an intermediate portion extending therebetween, the wrist portion configured to be joined to a wrist of an athlete wearing the assembly; and

an anchor body coupled to the anchor portion of the strap, the anchor body configured to be joined with a hand of the athlete in a position disposed away from the wrist portion, wherein the intermediate portion provides a rotative force to one or more of the hand or the wrist of the athlete when the intermediate portion is pulled across the hand from the wrist to the anchor body, the rotative force assisting the athlete in rolling the one or more of the hand or the wrist during a swinging action of athletic equipment.

2. The athletic assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor body is configured to be secured to at least one of a proximal phalange of the hand or a distal end of a metacarpal of the hand.

3. The athletic assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor body comprises a ring configured to be secured around a proximal phalange of the hand.

4. The athletic assembly of claim 1, wherein the athletic assembly is formed integrally with a glove.

5. The athletic assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor body is secured to multiple proximal phalanges of the hand.

6. The athletic assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor body is secured to a thumb of the hand.

7. The athletic assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor body comprises a shortened strap having a length that is shorter than the elongated strap.

8. The athletic assembly of claim 1, wherein the wrist portion is formed integrally with a glove.

9. The athletic assembly of claim 1, wherein the anchor body is coupled to a glove.

10. An athletic assembly comprising:

a glove configured to receive a hand of an individual, the glove having a palmer side configured to grip sporting equipment and an opposite dorsal side;

an elongated strap having a wrist portion and an anchor portion, the elongated strap configured to extend across one of the dorsal side or the palmer side of the glove, the wrist portion being configured to couple to a wrist region of the hand and the anchor portion being configured to couple to the glove at a corner region of the hand, wherein the strap provides a rotative force to one or more of the hand or the wrist of the athlete when the strap is pulled across the hand.

11. The athletic assembly of claim 10, wherein the corner region includes a proximal phalange and/or a distal end of a metacarpal of at least one of a thumb, index finger, or middle finger of the hand.

12. The athletic assembly of claim 10, wherein the glove and the strap are readily separable from each other.

13. The athletic assembly of claim 10, wherein at least one of the anchor portion or the wrist portion is secured to the glove.

14. The athletic assembly of claim 10, wherein the strap extends across the dorsal side of the glove.

15. A method of generating rotation in a wrist, the method comprising:

securing a wrist portion of an athletic assembly to a wrist of the hand;

securing an anchor portion of the athletic assembly to a trailing end of the hand;

joining an intermediate portion to the wrist portion at a leading end of the hand; and

extending the intermediate portion between the wrist portion and the anchor portion along a dorsal side of the hand, wherein the intermediate portion is configured to pull the anchor portion to generate rotation of the hand about the wrist.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising securing anchor portion to at least one of a proximal phalange of the hand or a distal end of a metacarpal of the hand.

17. An athletic assembly comprising:

an elongated strap extending between opposite first and second ends, the first end coupled to a finger and/or thumb of a hand, the second end coupled to a wrist of the hand.

18. The assembly of claim 17, wherein at least one of the first or second ends includes an attachment portion that secures the first or second end to the strap.

19. An athletic strap system comprising:

a first athletic assembly including a first strap that is coupled to a leading hand of an athlete; and

a second athletic assembly including a second strap that is coupled to a trailing hand of the athlete, wherein the first and second athletic assemblies provide forces on the leading and trailing hands to assist in rotating the leading and trailing hands during a swing.

20. The athletic strap system of claim 19, wherein the first strap extends across a dorsal side of the leading hand and the second strap extends across a palmer side of the trailing hand.