Method of promoting self-discipline of an athlete, and method of making an elastic band to facilitate same

Abstract

A method of promoting self-discipline of an athlete includes placing an elastic band around an arm of the athlete, the elastic band being in a first state; stretching the elastic band to be in a second state, thereby separating a portion of the elastic band from the arm; and releasing the stretched elastic band from the second state, wherein as the elastic band returns toward the first state the elastic band strikes the arm to apply a tactile sensation to the arm of the athlete.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an elastic band, such as an athletic wristband and, more particularly, to a method of using the elastic band for promoting self-discipline of an athlete, and a method of making the elastic band.

2. Description of the Related Art

Athletic wristbands may be used to display a sports team identification, and are often used to promote team unity. Such wristbands may be, for example, made of a rubber material that includes text and/or decorations, e.g., team logos, team mascot picture, etc.

For example, one such wristband resembles a rubber band wherein the text and/or decorations are painted on the outer surface of the rubber band. Another example of such a wristband is a rubber band having the text and/or decorations cut into the outer surface of the rubber band.

What is needed in the art is a method of using an elastic band for promoting self-discipline of an athlete, and a method of making the elastic band.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a method of using an elastic band for promoting self-discipline of an athlete, and a method of making the elastic band.

The invention, in one form thereof, relates to a method of promoting self-discipline of an athlete. The method includes placing an elastic band around an arm of the athlete, the elastic band being in a first state; stretching the elastic band to be in a second state, thereby separating a portion of the elastic band from the arm; and releasing the stretched elastic band from the second state, wherein as the elastic band returns toward the first state the elastic band strikes the arm to apply a tactile sensation to the arm of the athlete.

The invention, in another form thereof, relates to an athletic band. The athletic band is a flexible band having a base surface. Indicia extend upwardly from the base surface.

The invention, in another form thereof, relates to a method for forming a plurality of elastic bands. The method includes providing a core having an outer surface; positioning a cylinder having an embossed interior surface around the core, the embossed interior surface defining each of the plurality of the elastic bands along a height of the cylinder; spacing the outer surface of the core and the embossed interior surface of the cylinder to define a void between the outer surface and the embossed interior surface; and inserting an elastic material in a liquid state into the void, the embossed interior surface defining a molded article along a height of the cylinder, the molded article including the plurality of elastic bands, the embossed interior surface forming indicia that extend upwardly from a base surface of each of the plurality of the elastic bands when the elastic material cures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an elastic band in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of promoting self-discipline of an athlete, in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are graphical illustrations used to aid in understanding the flowchart of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a method for making a plurality of elastic bands, in accordance with the present invention FIG. 5A is an exploded view of a mold used to make a plurality of elastic bands in accordance with the present invention, with a portion sectioned away to expose an embossed interior surface.

FIG. 5B is a side view of the mold of FIG. 5A, with the mold in an assembled condition.

FIG. 5C is a top view of the mold of FIG. 5B, with an elastic material inserted in the mold.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown an elastic band 10, such as an athletic wristband, in accordance with the present invention. Elastic band 10 may be made, for example, from rubber.

Elastic band 10 is a flexible band having a base surface 12. Elastic band 10 has a length L and a width W. Indicia 14 extend outwardly from base surface 12. Thus, as shown in FIG. 1, indicia 14 may be in the form of raised text or symbols. Indicia 14 may be, for example, a sports team identifier, such as the club name or school name of the sports team, a picture of the team mascot, and/or other identifying text or symbols. If desired, at least a portion of indicia 14 may extend to a width W of elastic band 10.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of promoting self-discipline of an athlete, in accordance with the present invention. The self-discipline is self-administered by the athlete to himself/herself by applying a tactile sensation to his/her own skin, thereby inflicting a mild to high sensation as a punishment or reminder, for example, for poor play so as to promote better concentration during a sporting event. The method of FIG. 2 will be described in relation to the illustrations of FIGS. 3A-3C.

At step S100, elastic band 10 is placed around an arm 16 of the athlete (see FIG. 3A). As shown in FIG. 3A, at this time elastic band 10 is in a first state, e.g., a relaxed state, or a state of slight tension, depending on the size of elastic band 10 in relation to the size of the arm 16 of the athlete.

At step S102, elastic band 10 is stretched to be in a second state (see FIG. 3B), e.g., in a stretched state of moderate to high tension, thereby separating a portion 18 of elastic band 10 from the arm 16 of the athlete. For example, the athlete may grasp portion 18 of elastic band 10 with a free hand 20, and pull, thereby stretching elastic band 10, at which time the length L of elastic band 10 increases and the width W of at least portion 18 of elastic band 10 decreases.

At step S104, the athlete releases the stretched elastic band 10 (see FIG. 3C) from the second state, wherein as elastic band 10 returns toward the first state, elastic band 10 strikes the skin surface 22 of the arm 16 to apply a tactile sensation to the arm 16 of the athlete. The amount of tactile sensation will depend, at least in part, on how far elastic band 10 is stretched, and may range, for example, from a mild stimulation to a painful stimulation.

FIG. 4 is a method for making a plurality of elastic bands, including elastic band 10, in accordance with the present invention. The method will be described in relation to the illustrations of FIGS. 5A-5C.

FIGS. 5A-5C show a two-part mold 24 including a core 26 and a cylinder 28. Core 26 has an outer surface 30, which may be smooth. Cylinder 28 has an embossed interior surface 32 for defining each of the plurality of said elastic bands along height H of cylinder 28, and more particularly, for forming indicia 14 that that extend upwardly from base surface 12 of each elastic band 10 (see FIG. 1). A void 34 is formed between outer surface 30 and embossed interior surface 32 around core 26.

At step S200, cylinder 28 having embossed interior surface 32 is positioned around core 26. As shown in FIG. 5A, embossed interior surface 32 will define each of the plurality of elastic bands along the height H of cylinder 28.

At step S202, outer surface 30 of core 26 and embossed interior surface 32 of cylinder 28 are spaced laterally to define void 34 between outer surface 30 and embossed interior surface 32.

At step S204, an elastic material, e.g., rubber, in a liquid state is inserted into void 34. For example, rubber may be poured or injected into void 34. Embossed interior surface 32 thus, in part, defines a molded article 36 along height H of cylinder 28 that is formed in void 34 between core 26 and cylinder 28. Molded article 36 includes the plurality of elastic bands, with embossed interior surface 32 forming indicia 14 that extend upwardly from base surface 12 of each of the plurality of elastic bands (see elastic band 10 of FIG. 1) when the elastic material cures.

At step S206, cylinder 28 is separated from core 26.

At step S208, molded article 36 is removed from mold 24.

At step S210, molded article 36 is separated into individual elastic bands, e.g., elastic band 10, of the plurality of elastic bands. Such separation may occur, for example, by cutting molded article 36.

While this invention has been described with respect to embodiments of the present invention, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of promoting self-discipline of an athlete, comprising,

placing an elastic band around an arm of said athlete, said elastic band being in a first state;

stretching said elastic band to be in a second state, thereby separating a portion of said elastic band from said arm;

and releasing the stretched elastic band from said second state, wherein as said elastic band returns toward said first state said elastic band strikes said arm to apply a tactile sensation to said arm of said athlete.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said elastic band includes indicia.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of said indicia extends to a width of said elastic band, said width of said elastic band decreasing as said elastic band is stretched.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said indicia is a sports team identifier.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein said indicia extend outwardly from a base surface of said elastic band.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said elastic band is made of rubber, said rubber, while in a liquid form, being inserted into a mold having an outer cylinder and an inner core, said outer cylinder having an interior surface that is embossed to form said indicia that extend upwardly from said base surface when said rubber cures.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said mold simultaneously forms a plurality of elastic bands.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein said elastic band is made of rubber.

9. An athletic band, comprising:

a flexible band having a base surface; and

indicia that extend outwardly from said base surface.

10. The athletic band of claim 9, wherein said indicia is a sports team identifier.

11. A method for forming a plurality of elastic bands, comprising:

providing a core having an outer surface;

positioning a cylinder having an embossed interior surface around said core, said embossed interior surface defining each of said plurality of elastic bands along a height of said cylinder;

spacing said outer surface of said core and said embossed interior surface of said cylinder to define a void between said outer surface and said embossed interior surface; and

inserting an elastic material in a liquid state into said void, said embossed interior surface defining a molded article along a height of said cylinder, said molded article including said plurality of elastic bands, said embossed interior surface forming indicia that extend outwardly from a base surface of each of said plurality of said elastic bands when said elastic material cures.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

separating said cylinder from said core;

removing said molded article; and

separating said molded article into individual elastic bands of said plurality of elastic bands.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said elastic material is rubber.