Stabilizing strap

Abstract

A stabilizing strap includes an elongated flexible strap having a neck strap connected to a thumb strap with an adjustable buckle. The neck strap includes an operable fastener permitting the formation of a neck loop to hang the neck strap around the neck of a person. The thumb strap portion includes a thumb loop formed therein to permit the thumb of a person's hand to be journaled through the thumb loop. The method of use of the strap includes journaling a person's head through the neck loop of the strap, journaling a person's thumb of the arm to be stabilized through the thumb loop of the strap, and then moving the arm to be stabilized outwardly to place the strap in tension.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/207,666, entitled STRAP FOR AIMING STABILITY, filed May 26, 2000.

STATEMENT AS TO RIGHTS TO INVENTIONS MADE UNDER FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

[0002] (Not applicable)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] (1) Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to sports which require steady arm movement, and more particularly to an improved stabilizing strap for steadying arm movement during certain motions of the body.

[0005] (2) Background Information

[0006] A wide variety of sports require a steady arm for accuracy. For example, in hunting, a steady support arm is necessary in aiming a rifle, to ensure accuracy of the shot. Similarly, the aiming of a pistol or the like requires a steady arm to achieve accurate aim.

[0007] Another sport which requires a steady arm for accuracy is golf. When putting or chipping, steady motion of the arm with the club enhances the accuracy of the stroke, and hence the direction and velocity of the ball upon completion of the stroke.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved stabilizing strap for steadying the arm for various motions of the body.

[0009] Another object is to provide an improved stabilizing strap which steadies the arm for aiming a weapon.

[0010] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a stabilizing strap for steadying the arm during the stroke of a golf club. These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0011] The stabilizing strap of the present invention includes an elongated flexible strap having a neck strap connected to a thumb strap with an adjustable buckle. The neck strap includes an operable fastener permitting the formation of a neck loop to hang the neck strap around the neck of a person. The thumb strap portion includes a thumb loop formed therein to permit the thumb of a person's hand to be journaled through the thumb loop. The method of use of the strap includes journaling a person's head through the neck loop of the strap, journaling a person's thumb of the arm to be stabilized through the thumb loop of the strap, and then moving the arm to be stabilized outwardly to place the strap in tension.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0012] The preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which similar or corresponding parts are identified with the same reference numeral throughout the several views, and in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of the stabilizing strap of the present invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 shows the strap of the present invention being utilized during a golf stroke;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a pictorial view of the strap used with a person supporting a rifle;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a close up view of the strap in use during aiming of a rifle; and

[0017] FIG. 5 is a pictorial view of the strap in use during aiming of a hand gun.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the stabilizing strap of the present invention is designated generally at 10, and includes a neck strap 12 adjustably connected to thumb strap 14 by a polymer adjustment buckle 16.

[0019] Neck strap 12 is preferably formed of a one inch wide lightweight nylon webbing, and has opposing faces 12a and 12b, and opposing longitudinal ends 18 and 20. One half 22a of a cooperable fastener, such as a snap, is mounted to one face 12a of neck strap 12 proximal first end 18. The cooperating second half 22b of cooperable fastener 22 is mounted on the same face 12a of neck strap 12 spaced from the second end 20, but a sufficient distance from first end 18 such that a large neck loop 24 is formed when the halves of the cooperable fastener are interconnected. In the preferred form of the invention, neck loop 24 has a diameter of approximately eighteen inches, thereby permitting the loop to be easily placed over the head of a user.

[0020] The second end 20 of neck strap 12 is attached to a portion of buckle 16, in a conventional fashion. One end 26 of thumb strap 14 is threaded through buckle 16 and adjustably connected thereto, to permit length adjustment of the second end 28 of thumb strap 14 relative to buckle 16.

[0021] Thumb strap 14 is preferably formed of an elongated one inch wide lightweight strap of nylon webbing, similar to neck strap 12. The second end 28 of thumb strap 14 is folded back upon itself and attached by stitching or the like to an intermediate portion of thumb strap 14, to form thumb loop 30 at the end of thumb strap 14 opposite first end 26. Thumb loop 30 preferably has a diameter of approximately four inches.

[0022] As discussed in more detail hereinbelow, the stabilizing strap 10 may be effectively utilized in two ways. First, stabilizing strap 10 may be utilized to enhance and stabilize an arm during a swinging motion, such as that utilized during chip shots and putting in golf. The stabilizing strap 10 may also be utilized to steady the arm during aiming of a rifle, hand gun, bow or other weapon which requires a steady support arm.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2, stabilizing strap 10 is shown in use on a golfer 32. The neck loop 24 is positioned over the head 34 and around the neck 36 of the golfer, with the golfer's thumb 38 journaled through the thumb loop 30. Once the thumb strap 14 is adjusted to the appropriate length at adjustment buckle 16, stabilizing strap 10 will assist the golfer in swinging the club 40 through a uniform arc.

[0024] As the golfer swings the club 40, the strap 10 is maintained in a taut condition between thumb loop 30 and neck loop 24, to maintain a stable and uniform swing. Neck loop 24 will rotate about the golfer's neck 36, to maintain the uniformity of the arc of the swing.

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, a hunter 42 is shown utilizing stabilizing strap 10 to assist in stabilizing the aim of a rifle 44. In this case, the thumb 46 of the support arm 48 of shooter 42 is journaled through thumb loop 30, and neck loop 24 is positioned around the shooter's neck 50. The length of strap 10 may be adjusted at buckle 16, in a conventional fashion, for the particular shooter 42.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 4, the shooter takes aim and gently pushes forward to create a low level tension in strap 10, thereby forming a steady link between the eye and hand of the shooter. This link assists in stabilizing the support arm 48 of the shooter 42 during aiming.

[0027] This same procedure could also be utilized in aiming during bow hunting, or with other types of weapons which utilize a support arm to support the weapon during aiming.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 5, stabilizing strap 10 may also be utilized for aiming a handgun 52. The function is similar to that shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, but in this instance, the thumb loop 30 is looped around the thumb 54 of the shooting hand 56. While the shooter's second arm 58 may be utilized to further stabilize the shooting hand 54, strap 10 will function in its intended capacity without this additional support.

[0029] Whereas the invention has been shown and described in connection with the preferred embodiments thereof, many modifications, substitutions and additions may be made which are within the intended broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A stabilizing strap, comprising:

an elongated, flexible neck strap having first and second ends;

a first fastener connecting the neck strap first end to an intermediate portion of the neck strap to form a neck loop;

an elongated, flexible, thumb strap having first and second ends, the second end connected to the second end of the neck strap;

a second fastener connecting the thumb strap first end to an intermediate portion of the thumb strap to form a thumb loop.

2. The strap of

claim 1, wherein the neck loop is larger in diameter than the thumb loop.

3. The strap of

claim 2, wherein the first fastener is a cooperable fastener permitting repeated connection and disconnection.

4. The strap of

claim 3, further comprising a connector selectively and adjustably interconnecting the neck strap second end with the thumb strap second end, to permit length adjustment of the stabilizing strap.

5. The strap of

claim 4, wherein the second fastener is a rigid fastener not permitting repeated disconnection.

6. The strap of

claim 1, wherein the first fastener is a cooperable fastener permitting repeated connection and disconnection.

7. The strap of

claim 1, further comprising a connector selectively and adjustably interconnecting the neck strap second end with the thumb strap second end, to permit length adjustment of the stabilizing strap.

8. The strap of

claim 1, wherein the second fastener is a rigid fastener not permitting repeated disconnection.

9. A method for stabilizing the arm of the person, comprising the steps of:

connecting one end of an elongated strap to the arm to be stabilized;

connecting a second end of the strap to a portion of the person separate from the arm to be stabilized; and

moving the arm to be stabilized to place the strap in tension.

10. The method of

claim 9, wherein the step of connecting the strap to the arm includes connecting the strap to the hand of the arm to be stabilized.

11. The method of

claim 10, wherein the step of connecting the strap to the hand includes the step of connecting the strap to the thumb of the hand of the arm to be stabilized.

12. The method of

claim 11, wherein the step of connecting the strap to the thumb includes the steps of:

providing the strap first end with a thumb loop; and

journaling the thumb through the thumb loop.

13. The method of

claim 12, wherein the step of connecting the second strap end to the portion of the person includes connecting the second end around the neck of the person.

14. The method of

claim 13, wherein the step of connecting the second strap end around the neck of a person includes forming a neck loop in the second strap end and journaling the person's head through the neck loop.

15. The method of

claim 14, wherein the elongated strap is adjustable in length, and further comprising the step of adjusting the length of the strap after connecting the first end to the arm to be stabilized and connecting the second end to a portion of the person.

16. The method of

claim 9, wherein the step of connecting the second strap end to the portion of the person includes connecting the second end around the neck of the person.

17. The method of

claim 16, wherein the step of connecting the second strap end around the neck of a person includes forming a neck loop in the second strap end and journaling the person's head through the neck loop.

18. The method of

claim 9, wherein the elongated strap is adjustable in length, and further comprising the step of adjusting the length of the strap after connecting the first end to the arm to be stabilized and connecting the second end to a portion of the person.