Throw Training Device

Abstract

A throw training device is provided to limit a motion of a user's non-throwing arm while throwing an object. In one embodiment, a throw training device comprises a belt, wherein the belt comprises a sleeve material attached to the belt to form an integrated sleeve. A user's non-throwing arm may be secured in the integrated sleeve to limit a motion of a user's non-throwing arm.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/613,666 which was filed on Feb. 4, 2015, which claims priority from Provisional Application No. 61/935,534, filed on Feb. 4, 2014, and which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

American football is a popular game played by many. Football is a team sport with each team typically having eleven players on a field at one time. Player roles are largely dictated by gameplay situations, where gameplay situations require offensive players, defensive players, and special team players. Each set of players is further divided into specialized roles determined by each player's position. A quarterback is a unique, important position among the offensive players, and is usually responsible for communicating an offensive strategy to the other offensive players and for leading the execution of this offensive strategy. During gameplay, a quarterback may advance the ball himself by running, hand the ball to another player to advance the ball by running, or throw the ball to another offensive player to advance the ball by passing. Team strategy often revolves around a “running game,” where the ball is advanced by the quarterback or given to another player to run the ball, or the “passing game,” where the ball is passed, usually by the quarterback, to an eligible receiver.

The mechanics of a quarterback's throw are essential to a quarterback's successful passing game. Given the large number of unique roles on a football team, several different coaches specializing in different roles may work individually with one or more players to coach specific fundamentals. An offensive coordinator, a quarterback coach, or a special trainer may work with a quarterback during practice or during a training session in or out of the designated football season to improve a quarterback's throwing mechanics. Quarterbacks are often selected for the position based on a player's natural throwing aptitude, but even players with a natural passing ability may have bad passing mechanics, or have the need to improve their passing ability by improving their passing mechanics. What is needed is a training device used by pass throwing players to improve their passing mechanics.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a throw training device is provided, the throw training device comprising a belt, wherein the belt comprises a sleeve material attached to the belt to form an integrated sleeve.

In another embodiment, a throw training device is provided, the throw training device comprising: a belt; and a non-throwing arm attachment cuff, the non-throwing arm attachment cuff operatively connected to the belt.

In another embodiment, a method of using a throw training device is provided, the method comprising: securing a throw training device belt around a torso of a user; securing a user's arm within at least one of: a non-throwing arm adjustment cuff, and an integrated sleeve; and providing a tension on at least one of: the non-throwing arm adjustment cuff relative to the belt, and a sleeve material of the integrated sleeve relative to the belt, to limit at least one of: a user's arm movement relative to the user's torso, and abduction of a user's upper arm relative to the user's torso.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate various example systems and methods, and are used merely to illustrate various example embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of an example throw training device.

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear perspective view of an example throw training device.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front perspective view of an example throw training device.

FIG. 4 illustrates a rear perspective view of an example throw training device.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front perspective view of an example throw training device.

FIG. 6 illustrates a rear perspective view of an example throw training device.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front perspective view of an example throw training device.

FIG. 8 illustrates a rear perspective view of an example throw training device.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing a method of using a throw training device.

FIG. 10 illustrates a rear perspective view of an example throw training device.

FIG. 11 illustrates a front perspective view of an example throw training device.

FIG. 12 illustrates a rear perspective view of an example throw training device.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing a method of using a throw training device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments disclosed and claimed herein depict and describe a throw training device.

FIGS. 1-8 illustrate perspective views of throw training devices 100, 200, 300, and 400. Passing accuracy and distance may be increased by throwing the ball in such a way that the ball spirals while in flight. A user rotating his/her body while throwing the ball may apply an additional amount of torque to the throwing motion, thus giving additional power that may increase the distance and velocity of a throw. Throw training devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 may help to improve a passer's body rotation and passing mechanics by limiting motion of a non-throwing arm. Throw training devices 100, 200, 300, and 400 may be used to encourage an athlete to keep an upper portion (brachial) of his/her non-throwing arm tucked against the body to provide for better body rotation mechanics and to develop non-throwing arm muscle memory.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, front and rear perspective views of throw training device 100 are respectively illustrated. Throw training device 100 may comprise harness 102 attached to a user's torso, and non-throwing arm attachment cuff 114 attached to a user's non-throwing arm and secured to harness 102 by a tension band 122.

Harness 102 may comprise multiple parts such as one or more shoulder straps 104a, 104b extending substantially vertically over a user's thoracic (chest) area C and over a user's shoulders S, extending along a user's back B. While harness 102 may be realized with one shoulder strap, harness 102 may be substantially symmetrical about a user's body midline, with a right side portion 103a and a left side portion 103b including shoulder straps 104a and 104b. Shoulder straps 104a and 104b may be joined together on a user's back by webbing 105. In one embodiment, webbing 105 is of an elastic material that allows webbing 105 to stretch and contract to provide lateral/medial movement of one shoulder strap (e.g. 104a) relative to the other should strap (e.g. 104b) and vice-versa, so as to provide increased user comfort, as well as providing adjustability of harness 102 to fit users of different body sizes. In another embodiment, webbing 105 is relatively inelastic and does not stretch. Shoulder straps 104a and 104b may comprise shoulder strap adjustment hardware 106 for a vertical adjustment of harness 102 relative to a user's torso. In one embodiment, adjustment hardware 106 is an integrated elastic strap integrated in shoulder straps 104a and 104b to allow for simple expansion in a length of shoulder strap 104 to provide a degree of flexibility for fitting users of different body sizes, and provide user comfort while wearing harness 102. Harness 102 may further comprise substantially horizontal portions 108a and 108b extending laterally from shoulder strap 104a and 104b on a back side (posterior) of a user and wrapping circumferentially around a user to join respective portions of shoulder straps 104a and 104b on a user's front side (anterior). One or more connectors 112 may attach to horizontal portion 108a and shoulder strap 104a so as to secure horizontal portion 108a and shoulder strap 104a to complimentary locations on horizontal portion 108b and shoulder strap 104b, so as to ultimately secure harness 102 to a user's body. In one embodiment, harness 102 is similar to a vest, with a user's arms extending through a void (e.g. armholes) 109 bounded by horizontal portions 108a/108b and shoulder straps 104a/104b respectively, with right side portion 103a of harness 102 being secured to left side portion 103b of harness 102 about a user's chest area C. In another embodiment, right side portion 103a of harness 102 is secured to left side portion 103b of harness 102 on a user's back B. Connector 112 may be a slide release/snap fit buckle, with complimentary buckle fittings 112a and 112b. Fitting 112a may be a female portion that accepts male portion 112b. Male portion 112b may slide into female portion 112a with a male portion having tabs that lock male portion 112b in place relative to female portion 112a when both portions are fully engaged with one another. Complimentary buckle fitting 112a and 112b may operatively connect to both horizontal portions 108a, 108b and shoulder straps 104a, 104b via girth adjustment straps 111. Strap adjustment hardware 110 may be used to slacken/tighten girth adjustment straps 111 so as to vary a distance between right side portion 103a and left side portion 103b to provide a custom fit of harness 102 for users of different girths. In one embodiment, strap adjustment hardware 110 is a slide, bar slide/ladder lock, or belt trim, where length of girth adjustment strap 111 is varied by weaving girth adjustment strap 111 through and around strap adjustment hardware 110.

Non-throwing arm attachment cuff 114 may attach to a brachial (upper-arm) portion of a user's non-throwing arm. In one embodiment, non-throwing arm attachment cuff attaches to a user's non-throwing arm in a location between a user's shoulder and a user's elbow on a user's non-throwing arm. Non-throwing arm attachment cuff 114 may include a cuff adjustment 116 for slackening and tightening a circumference of non-throwing arm attachment cuff 114 around a brachial portion of a user's non-throwing arm. In one embodiment, cuff adjustment 116 includes strap 115 and loop 117 for varying a circumference of non-throwing arm attachment cuff 114. In this embodiment, strap 115 passes through and around loop 117 and pulled to tighten non-throwing arm attachment cuff 114, with strap 115 being secured to itself via a snap, a hook and loop fastener, and the like, once non-throwing arm attachment cuff 114 has been properly adjusted.

Harness 102 and portions thereof such as shoulder straps 104a, 104b, horizontal straps 108a, 108b, webbing 105, girth adjustment straps 111, non-throwing arm attachment cuff 114, and strap 115 may be of a material that may breathable, durable, and comfortable for extended, and vigorous use during a user's training. Additionally, harness 102 and the aforementioned portions thereof may be of a material that is easily washable or capable of being laundered. In one embodiment, harness 102 and the aforementioned portions thereof are made of a heavy, natural material such as cotton, linen, canvas, hemp, and the like. In another embodiment, harness 102 and the aforementioned portions thereof are made of a synthetic material such as spandex, elastic, polyester, nylon, Kevlar®, Cordura®, and the like. Material selection for harness 102 and the aforementioned portions thereof may be based on training environment, training duration, age and skill level of a user, intended harness lifespan, and like factors. In one embodiment, harness 102 and the aforementioned portions thereof are made of different materials. In another embodiment, harness 102 and the aforementioned portions thereof are made of the same material. Harness 102 and the aforementioned portions thereof may be reinforced by known garment production techniques to provide durability. Such material reinforcement techniques may include one or more techniques such as: an addition of seams, material layering, stitching, adhesives, mechanical fasteners such as rivets, and the like.

Throw training device 100 may include a tension band 122 secured to one or more harness attachment points 120 and one or more cuff attachment points 118 to provide a tensioned connection between non-throwing arm adjustment cuff 114 and harness 102. Tension band 122 may limit brachial abduction (i.e. movement away) of a user's non-throwing arm from a user's torso. Likewise, tension band 122 may encourage brachial adduction (i.e. movement toward) of a user's non-throwing arm towards a user's torso.

Tension band 122 may be of a flexible material that provides adequate tension when stretched, such as rubber or elastic fabric, or tension band 122 may be of an inelastic material, where brachial abduction of a user's non-throwing arm is limited by tension band length. In embodiments where tension band 122 is of an elastic material, material selection for tension band 122 may be used to vary tension in tension band 122. For example, a material with a greater resistance when elastically deformed, (i.e. stretched), may be used to better limit brachial abduction of a user's non-throwing arm from a user's torso. Tension band 122 may be of an elastic material, and limited in length to limit brachial abduction of a user's non-throwing arm from a user's torso. In one embodiment, tension band 122 includes a female snap fitting 123a which mates with a complimentary male snap fitting 123b on harness attachment point 120 to vary a length of tension band 122. Tension band may be permanently attached, or removably attached (i.e. selectively removable) at either harness attachment point 120, and cuff attachment point 118.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, respective front and rear perspective views of example throw training device 200 are illustrated. Similar to throw training device 100, throw training device 200 may include harness 202 comprising shoulder straps 204a and 204b extending over a user's chest C and shoulder portions S, and joining at a central back portion 205 and on a user's back B. Central back portion 205 may further connect to a medial horizontal portion 208 which may extend into both right side horizontal portion 208a, and left side horizontal portion 208b, and extend circumferentially around a user's torso to operatively connect to respective shoulder straps 204a and 204b via adjustment hardware 206 on a user's front side. Adjustment hardware 206 may be used to vary a length of shoulder straps 204a and 204b, and may include height adjustment strap 207 and buckle/loop 213 to vary a length of shoulder straps 204a and 204b, so as to move harness 202 up and down a user's torso, and thus vary a superior/inferior position (i.e. height) of harness 202 on a user's body. In this way, harness 202 may be adjusted to accommodate users of different heights and torso lengths. A distal portion of height adjustment strap 207 may pass through and around buckle/loop 213, and secure to another area of height adjustment strap 207 or to shoulder straps 204a and 204b using a common connection hardware such as a snap, hook and loop fastener, and the like. For example, distal end of height adjustment strap 207 may have Velcro® on one side thereof, and after passing through and around buckle/loop 213, distal end may be secured to another location of height adjustment strap having complimentary Velcro® thereon. Right side horizontal portion 208a and left side horizontal portion 208b may secure to one another via girth adjustment strap 211 and buckle 212. Harness 202 may be adjusted for users with torsos of varying girth by using girth adjustment strap 211 and buckle 212. A distal portion of girth adjustment strap 211 may extend through, and around buckle 212 and be secured to another portion of girth adjustment strap 211 using a common connector hardware such as a snap, hook and loop fastener, and the like. Central back portion 205 may be permanently affixed to medial horizontal portion 208 at connection 219 via a fabric joining technique such as stitching, weaving, adhesive, and the like, or may be removably attached, for example, using a common connector such as a snap, button, buckle, hook and loop fastener, and the like. Removable attachment of components on harness 102 may allow modular portions (i.e. horizontal portions 208, 208a, 208b, shoulder straps 204a,204b, and central back portion 205) to interchange with other modular portions to vary a size of harness 102. Portions of harness 202 may be paneled with paneling 221 so as to provide additional strength and flexibility to harness 202. Harness 202 may comprise the same or similar materials used to construct harness 102, as described above.

Similar to throw training device 100 described above, throw training device 200 may include a tension band 222 secured to one or more harness attachment points 220 and one or more cuff attachment points 218 to provide a tensioned connection between non-throwing arm cuff 214 and harness 202 to limit brachial abduction of a user's non-throwing arm from a user's torso. Cuff 214 may be of an elastic material that allows for circumferential elastic expansion such that a user may slide cuff 214 over a non-throwing arm, with a circumferential elasticity used to hold cuff 214 about a brachial region of a user's arm. Material selection of cuff 214 to select a material with an adequate elasticity may be used to limit or eliminate longitudinal movement of cuff 214 about a brachial region of a user's non-throwing arm.

As described above for tension band 122, tension band 222 may be of an elastic or inelastic material, and tension may be varied by either selecting a material with desired elastic properties, varying a length of tension band 222, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, tension band 222 is a strap permanently attached to harness 202 at harness attachment point 220, and cuff attachment point 218 is a buckle/loop. In this embodiment, tension is varied by passing a distal portion of tension band 222 through and around buckle/loop 218 and securing the distal portion of tension band 222 back to another portion of band 222 via a common connection hardware such as a snap, hook and loop fastener, and the like to vary a length of tension band 222. Material selection of tension band 222 for a material of desired elasticity and resistance may also be used to vary tension, and thus limit a brachial abduction of a user's non-throwing arm.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, respective front and rear perspective views of example throw training device 300 are illustrated. Throw training device 300 is similar in design and function of throw training device 200 but may include additional features such as strap sheath 324 on shoulder straps 304a and 304b on harness 302. Strap sheath 324 may be allowed to move longitudinally along shoulder straps 304a, 304b such that when harness 302 is adjusted and sized for a proper height fit of a user, a distal portion of height adjustment strap 307, after passing through and around buckle/loop 313, is secured to another portion of height adjustment strap 307 using a common connector hardware such as a snap, hook and loop fastener, and the like, with strap sheath 324 pulled over a strap to strap connection point of height adjustment strap 307 to prevent disengagement of a strap to strap connection point on height adjustment strap 307 once a proper height adjustment of harness 302 is made, and during use of throw training device 300. Additional paneling 321 may be used to increase strength, flexibility, and aesthetic appearance of throwing training device 300, as well as simplifying a mass-production or manufacture of throw training devices in different size ranges. For example, modular base components may comprise panels 321 to produce modular components in variable sizes, and thus throw training devices in variable sizes (e.g. size large may comprise a horizontal portion 308a of six panels 321 of similar size, whereas a size small may comprise a horizontal portion 308a of three panels 321 of similar size, etc.).

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, respective front and rear perspective views of example throw training device 400 are illustrated. Similar to previous embodiments, throw training device 400 may include harness 402 comprising shoulder straps 404a, 404b extending over a user's thoracic/chest region C and over shoulders S to back B. Shoulder straps 404a, 404b may interconnect to one another via bib-type section 405 which connects shoulder straps 404a, 404b at a centralized location on a user's back. Shoulder straps 404a, 404b may diverge from bib-type section 405 and extend in an inferior direction until they connect with a medial horizontal portion 408. Right side horizontal portion 408a, and left side horizontal portion 408b may extend laterally from medial horizontal portion 408 and extend circumferentially around a user's torso to join to each other near a midline area of a user's chest C.

In one embodiment, a connection formed between height adjustment strap 407 and buckle 413 operatively connect shoulder straps 404a, 404b to horizontal portions 408a, 408b. In addition to height adjustment strap 407 and buckle 413 used to adjust a fit of shoulder straps 404a, 404b on users of different sizes, a bar slide/ladder lock 426 may be used to further adjust height adjustment straps 407. In one embodiment, height adjustment strap 407 is of a finite length and permanently secured by stitching to shoulder straps 404a, 404b, such that a user need only adjust bar slide/ladder lock 426 to vary a fit of shoulder straps 404a, 404b, and height adjustment of harness 402, without a need to further secure height adjustment strap 407 after making a height adjustment of harness 402. In another embodiment, a distal end of height adjustment strap 407 is passed through and around buckle/loop 413, weaved through bar slide/ladder lock 426 with distal end of height adjustment strap 407 either secured by bar slide/ladder lock 426, or secured to another part of height adjustment strap 407 by a common connection hardware such as a snap, hook and loop fastener, and the like. Buckle 413 may be secured either directly to horizontal portions 408a, 408b, or operatively connected to, and offset from horizontal portions 408a, 408b at some distance by a strap as illustrated.

Horizontal portions 408a, 408b may connect to each other via a girth adjustment strap 411. In one embodiment, girth adjustment strap 411 comprises a connection hardware on a portion thereof that secures to a complimentary connection hardware on a portion of left-side horizontal portion 408b. In this embodiment, a connection hardware is a hook and loop fastener such as Velcro®.

Throw training device 400 may comprise the same, or similar materials as previously described embodiments.

Tension band 222 may likewise comprise similar materials as previously described embodiments. Similar to previously described throw training devices, throw training device 400 may include a tension band 422 secured to a harness attachment point 420, and a cuff attachment points 418 to provide a tensioned connection between non-throwing arm cuff 414 and harness 402 to limit brachial abduction of a user's non-throwing arm from a user's torso. Cuff 414 and its adjustment and attachment around and to a user's non-throwing arm, may use a cuff adjustment 416, that is similar to cuff adjustment 116, as described above.

Throw training device 400 may use one or more tension bands 422 either alone, or in combination with one another to limit brachial abduction of a user's non-throwing arm from a user's torso, and encourage brachial adduction of a user's non-throwing arm towards a user's torso.

In one embodiment, tension band 422 is a color-coded, elastic strap permanently attached to cuff attachment points 418, and removably attachable to harness attachment point 420. Harness attachment point 420 may interface with connection hardware 428 on tension band 422. In one embodiment, connection hardware 428 attaches to harness attachment point 420 via a strap 430 that may be either varied in length to further affect a tension of tension band 422, or may subdivided into discrete sections like a daisy chain construction (not shown), wherein connecting connection hardware 428 into each discrete subsection of a daisy chained strap 430 varies a tension of tension band 422. A daisy-chained subdivision of strap 430 may also provide a capability of attaching multiple tension bands 422 to hardness attachment point 420. Tension band 422 may comprise springs. In one embodiment, tension band 422 is one or more rubber bands. Tension bands 422 may be color coded to indicate different levels of tension. In one embodiment, tension bands 422 are all of a same tension, and one or more tension bands 422 are added until a desired tension is achieved. For example, if each tension band 422 provides five pounds of resistance, three tension bands 422 would be used to provide fifteen pounds of resistance. In another embodiment, tension band 422 is multicolored. In this embodiment, one end of tension band 422 is colored green, a middle portion of tension band 422 is colored yellow, and another end of tension band 422 is colored red. A person observing a user of throw training device 400 using a multicolored tension band 422 may be able to better observe an abduction of a user's non-throwing arm from a user's torso depending on a color of tension band 422 observed. For example, a multicolored tension band 422 closest to a user's body may be green such that an observer of a user using throw training device 400, where a user has little or no non-throwing arm abduction, may only observe a green color on tension band 422. In contrast, an observer of a user using throw training device 400, where a user has significant non-throwing arm abduction, may see yellow or red, where a red portion of multicolored tension band 422 is attached closest to a user's non-throwing arm.

Non-throwing arm adjustment cuff 414 and portions of harness 402 may include one or more cuff attachment points 418 and one or more harness attachment points 420 respectively for securing an end of one or more tension bands 422 thereto. In one embodiment, cuff attachment points 418 and harness attachment points 420 are rings or loops used for quickly connecting, and disconnecting one or more tension bands 422 thereto. End portions of tension bands 422 may comprise quick connection hardware such as spring loaded carabiners, hooks, clasps, or like hardware, for quick and secure connection of tension bands 422 to attachment points 418 and 420. In one embodiment, cuff attachment points 418 and harness attachment points 420 are adjustable relative to non-throwing arm adjustment cuff 414 and harness 402 respectively, for adjusting a size of throw training device 400 to accommodate different body sizes and body geometries for a variety of users. In one embodiment, harness attachment points 420 are around an axillary portion (armpit) of a user's torso and cuff attachment points 418 correspond to an area on a user's brachial region that abuts axillary portion of a user's torso when a user's non-throwing arm is at rest. In another embodiment, harness attachment point 420 is around a user's waist portion.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a flow chart of an example method (900) for using a throw training device is provided. A method of using a throw training device (900) may comprise the steps of: securing an attachment point on a non-throwing arm of a user (901); securing an attachment point on a torso of a user (903); interconnecting an attachment point on the non-throwing arm of a user to the attachment point on the torso of a user (905); simulating a throw with a user's throwing arm; or thrown an object with the user's throwing arm (907); and providing a tension between the interconnection to limit brachial abduction of the user's non-throwing arm from the user's torso during the simulation of the throw, or the throwing of the object (909).

With reference to FIGS. 10, 11, 12, and 13, methods and devices of an example belt embodiment of throw training device 500 and 600 are illustrated.

With reference to FIG. 10, an example throw training device 500 is illustrated. Throw training device 500 may comprise a belt 502 comprising horizontal portion 508 and operable to wrap and around, and secure to a torso of a user. Belt 502 may further comprise a sleeve material 534, wherein a portion of sleeve material 534 may be connected to a portion of belt 502, for example at a first attachment point 536, and a second attachment point 538. Attachment of sleeve material 534 to belt 502 at first attachment point 536 and second attachment point 538 may form an annular sleeve, or alternatively, an integrated sleeve 532 through which a user may provide a non-throwing arm, such that a motion of a user's non-throwing may be limited relative to belt 502 and a user's torso when placed inside of, and retained within integrated sleeve 532 on belt 502.

Sleeve material 534 may be elastic, inelastic, or a mixture of both properties. In one embodiment, sleeve material 534 may be an elastic material and may be operable to stretch and deform when a stress is applied to sleeve material 534. Deformation of elastic sleeve material 534 may allow, for example, user's with arms of large circumferences to be inserted into integrated sleeve 532 with little or no resistance from sleeve material 534. Once a user's arm is placed within integrated sleeve 532, a stress may be removed from elastic sleeve material 534 such that removal of stress (i.e. a user's cessation of stretching elastic sleeve material 534) may cause elastic sleeve material 534 to return towards elastic sleeve material's 534 original stress and orientation before a stress (i.e. stretching) was applied to elastic sleeve material 534. A compressive force from elastic sleeve material 534 trying to return to an original shape and orientation may be caused on a user's arm within integrated sleeve and may provide a better interface between a user's arm an integrated sleeve 532 to encourage a user's arm to be retained within integrated sleeve 532. In another embodiment, sleeve material 534 may be relatively inelastic and may not stretch when a stress is applied to sleeve material 534.

Horizontal portion 508 of belt 502 may comprise a first end portion 554a and a second end portion 554b. Horizontal portion 508 of belt 502 may be of a pliable material so that belt 502 may be easily wrapped around a torso of a user. First end portion 554a may meet near second end portion 554b to secure belt 502 about a torso of a user. Connection hardware may be connection hardware as used by various embodiments herein. In one embodiment, first end portion 554a may comprise a first connector 512a, and second end portion 554b may comprise second connector 512b. In one embodiment, first connector 512a may be a slide 512a of a slide buckle assembly, and second connector 512b may be a buckle 512b of slide buckle assembly, such that first connector 512a may selectively interconnect with slide 512b to form a selective connection between first connector 512a and 512b, such that belt 502 may be selectively secured, and selectively removed, from a torso of a user. First connector 512a may be interconnected with and to second connector 512b via an interconnection strap 511. A length of interconnection strap 511 may be varied to at least one of: shorten a length of interconnection strap 511, and lengthen a length of interconnection strap 511, so as to adjust interconnection strap 511. Various adjustment hardware 510, in a non-limiting example, tri-glides, buckles, clasps, and the like, may be used to vary a length of interconnection strap 511 and secure a position of interconnection strap 511 relative to belt 502, for example, to prevent strap from slackening once a user provides a desirable tightness of interconnection strap 511. In one embodiment, interconnection strap 511 may overlie sleeve material 534 such that a slackening or tightening of interconnection strap 511 may at least one of: provide a tension on, and relieve a tension from, sleeve material 534 and accordingly a user's arm contained within integrated sleeve 532. Providing an addition tension on sleeve material 534 may assist retention of a user's arm within integrated sleeve 532 and may at least one of: limit a motion of a user's arm while in integrated sleeve 532 relative to belt 502 and a user's torso, and limit abduction of a user's arm away from a user's torso.

With reference to FIGS. 11 and 12, FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate a respective front perspective view, and a rear perspective view of an example throw training device 600.

Example throw training device 600 may be similar to example throw training device 500, except with a non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614 in place of integrated sleeve 532 to retain a user's non-throwing arm, and limit a motion of a user's non-throwing arm relative to a user's torso and belt 602. Non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614 may be annular in shape to allow a user's arm to pass through an inner-circumference non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614 to secure non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614 to a user's arm. In one embodiment, non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614 may be of an elastic material that may readily deform and stretch when a stress is applied, and return to an original state when a stress is removed from elastic material of non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614. For example, non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614 may be stretched to allow a user's arm to pass through non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614, and when stress to cause a stretching is removed, elastic material of non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614 may attempt to return to an original state of non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614. Non-throwing arm attachment cuff may provide an additional compression, for example, when a user's arm is within an annular sleeve portion of non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614 which may help to retain a position of non-throwing arm attachment cuff on a user's arm.

Attachment cuff 614 may be operatively connected to belt 602 via an interconnection material 622. Interconnecting material 622 may be fixedly attached to both belt 602 and non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614—that is, intended as a permanent connection and may not be selectively removable. Interconnecting material 622 may be selectively attached to both belt 602 and non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614, for example at belt attachment point 620, and cuff attachment point 618 (collectively an “attachment point”). Interconnecting material 622 may be of an elastic, or inelastic material. In one embodiment, interconnecting material 622 may be of an elastic material, and may require a slight stretch away from a body for a user to maintain a natural positioning of a user's arm, such that a user's non-throwing arm is under tension, and non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614 may be encouraged to move toward a user's torso. Throw training device 600 may comprise an additional tension adjustment device 640 that may further comprise a tether 642 and a restraint 644. Tether 642 may be slackened to remove a tension between non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614 and belt 602. Likewise, tether 642 may be tightened to increase a tension between non-throwing arm attachment cuff 614 and belt 602 to encourage a user's non-throwing arm to move toward a user's torso. Tension adjustment device 640 may be adjustable to provide adjustable levels of tension to a user depending a user's need. In one embodiment, tether 642 is a strap. In another embodiment, tether 642 is an eyed strap (comprising one or more eyes 648 therethrough) and may pass through a frame buckle 650, such that prong 652 may engage an eye 648 to limit a change in position of strap 642 relative to frame 650 once a desired tension has been achieved by a user.

Belt 602 may have features similar to belt 502 such as buckle 612 with corresponding slide 612a engaged within buckle 612b, a first end 654a, and a second end 654b. A horizontal portion 608, and adjustment strap 610 to adjust relative to buckle assembly 612 to vary a tightness of belt 602 around a user's torso.

As described above, throw training devices 500, and 600 may be comprised of materials that may resist increased wear and tear, may be easily launderable, and may be comfortable for wear at extended periods.

A flowchart illustrating an example method 1300 of using a throw training device is illustrated in FIG. 13. Method 1300 may comprise: securing a throw training device belt around a torso of a user (1301); securing a user's arm within at least one of: a non-throwing arm adjustment cuff, and an integrated sleeve (1303); and providing a tension on at least one of: the non-throwing arm adjustment cuff relative to the belt, and a sleeve material of the integrated sleeve relative to the belt, to limit at least one of: a user's arm movement relative to the user's torso, and abduction of a user's upper arm relative to the user's torso 1305.

Unless specifically stated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification, including the attached claims, are approximations that may vary depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained according to the exemplary embodiments. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently contains certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

Furthermore, while the systems, methods, and apparatuses have been illustrated by describing example embodiments, and while the example embodiments have been described and illustrated in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict, or in any way limit, the scope of the appended claims to such detail. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the systems, methods, and apparatuses. With the benefit of this application, additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details and illustrative example and exemplary embodiments shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventive concept. Thus, this application is intended to embrace alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims. The preceding description is not meant to limit the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is to be determined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

As used in the specification and the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural. To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is employed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner co-extensive with the term “comprising,” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed in the claims (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B, but not both,” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Similarly, when the applicants intend to indicate “one and only one” of A, B, or C, the applicants will employ the phrase “one and only one.” Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” To the extent that the term “selectively” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to refer to a condition of a component wherein a user of the apparatus may activate or deactivate the feature or function of the component as is necessary or desired in use of the apparatus. To the extent that the term “operatively connected” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to mean that the identified components are connected in a way to perform a designated function. Finally, where the term “about” is used in conjunction with a number, it is intended to include ±10% of the number. In other words, “about 10” may mean from 9 to 11.

Claims

1. A throw training device comprising a belt, wherein the belt comprises a sleeve material attached to the belt to form an integrated sleeve.

2. The throw training device of claim 1, wherein the belt comprises a horizontal portion operable to extend circumferentially around a user's torso.

3. The throw training device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve material is attached to the belt at a first attachment point and a second attachment point, such that a portion of the sleeve material attached to a portion of the belt at the first attachment point and the second attachment point comprise an inner boundary of the integrated sleeve.

4. The throw training device of claim 1, wherein the horizontal portion comprises a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion interconnected to the second end portion via an interconnection strap.

5. The throw training device of claim 4, wherein the first end portion comprises a first connector and the second end portion comprises a second connector, such that the first connector is operable to selectively interconnect with the second connector to secure the belt around and to a user's torso.

6. The throw training device of claim 4, wherein a length of the interconnection strap is selectively adjustable such that the length is at least one of: lengthened, and shortened, during an adjustment of the strap.

7. The throw training device of claim 6 further comprising an adjustment hardware, and wherein the adjustment hardware is operable to at least one of: selectively adjust the length of the interconnection strap, and selectively secure a position of the interconnection strap relative to the belt.

8. The throw training device of claim 6, wherein the interconnection strap overlies the sleeve material, such that the adjustment of the interconnection strap at least one of: exerts a tension on the sleeve material relative to the belt, and relieves a tension on the sleeve material relative to the belt.

9. A throw training device, comprising:

a belt; and

a non-throwing arm attachment cuff, the non-throwing arm attachment cuff operatively connected to the belt.

10. The throw training device of claim 9, wherein the belt comprises a horizontal portion operable to extend circumferentially around a user's torso, the horizontal portion further comprising an attachment point, the attachment point operable to connect the non-throwing arm attachment cuff to the belt.

11. The throw training device of claim 10, wherein the horizontal portion comprises two end portions, each end portion operable to connect to another end portion to secure the horizontal portion around a user's torso.

12. The throw training device of claim 10, wherein the horizontal portion is adjustable such that a circumferential length of the horizontal portion may be varied.

13. The throw training device of claim 10, further comprising an interconnecting material, the interconnecting material operable to interconnect the non-throwing arm attachment cuff to the attachment point

14. The throw training device of claim 13, wherein the interconnecting material comprises an elastic material.

15. The throw training device of claim 10, wherein the attachment point comprises a fixed attachment, the fixed attachment operable to fixedly secure the non-throwing arm attachment cuff to the belt.

16. The throw training device of claim 10, wherein the attachment point comprises a selectively removable attachment, the selectively removable attachment operable to selectively secure the non-throwing arm attachment to the belt, and selectively remove the non-throwing arm attachment from the belt.

17. The throw training device of claim 9, further comprising a tension adjustment device, the tension adjustment device further comprising a tether and a restraint, the restraint operable to secure the tether such that the tether may be selectively secured to the restraint to at least one of: slacken, and tighten, the tether relative to the restraint.

18. The throw training device of claim 17, wherein the tension adjustment device comprises an eyed strap as the tether, and a prong and frame buckle as the restraint.

19. The throw training device of claim 9, wherein the non-throwing arm attachment cuff comprises an annular sleeve comprising an elastic material, the annular sleeve of elastic material selectively deformable when a stress is applied to allow a user's non-throwing arm to pass through the annular sleeve to position the non-throwing arm attachment cuff about a user's non-throwing arm, regardless of a user's arm circumference, such that when the stress is removed, the elastic material of the sleeve returns toward an original state thereby securing the non-throwing arm attachment cuff to the user's arm.

20. A method of using a throw training device, the method comprising the steps of:

securing a throw training device belt around a torso of a user;

securing a user's arm within at least one of: a non-throwing arm adjustment cuff, and an integrated sleeve; and

providing a tension on at least one of: the non-throwing arm adjustment cuff relative to the belt, and a sleeve material of the integrated sleeve relative to the belt, to limit at least one of: a user's arm movement relative to the user's torso, and abduction of a user's upper arm relative to the user's torso.