Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers
An special device used for wrist snap developing and exercising for softball pitchers. The device is a new combination of existing devices that provide an effective, practical and economical way to maximize a pitcher's capability through proper training and exercise. The device is comprised of a softball; a tensioner device; a means to adjust the tensioner; and a means to adjustably secure the softball to the tensioner wherein said special device may be used to develop and exercise the wrist, fingers and arm of a softball pitcher. The device includes features that permit full padding of the arm and wrist for comfort and endurance. The device includes features for easy adjustment of the tension and the ball location, plus a quick change feature for switching ball types and sizes.
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/936,589 filed Jun. 21, 2007 by Tim Parnell, and entitled “Special Wrist Snap Developing and Exercising Device for Softball Pitchers”.
FIELD OF INVENTIONThis invention relates to a Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers. Particularly this new Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers is related to devices and methods to improve pitching, particularly softball pitching. This Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers is a new combination of existing devices that provide an effective, practical and economical way to maximize a pitcher's capability through proper training and exercise with this new device. The preferred embodiment is described below.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCHNone.
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAMNone.
BACKGROUND-FIELD OF INVENTION AND PRIOR ART BACKGROUND-FIELD OF INVENTIONThe new Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers is a product and system that is designed to provide a better device to permit softball pitchers and others to fully develop their arms and wrist strength.
A. Introduction of the Problems AddressedThe skills and development required to be an effective softball pitcher requires more than just strength. All pars of the motion of delivering the pitch depends on the strength of the arm, the snap of the wrist and the grip of the ball. To date no device or system has effectively addressed these needs. The present Parnell device answers this need for all areas.
B. Prior ArtIn recent years, some training aids to pitchers and other exercise devices for pitchers have been accomplished but none fulfill and answer the needs discussed above. Examples of prior exercise devices for arm strength and needs of pitchers with U.S. Pat. No. 1,658,108 issued to T. E. Vaughn (1926) for an arm developer. This teaches a training appliance with a weight and tee handle to exercise and strengthen the arm. No grip or forearm resistance is taught and no specific softball improvement is mentioned. Another improvement for wrist exercise is attempted by a patent issued to Sakurada as U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,183 (1977). It teaches a wrist exercise and strengthening device that is a device that is provided for exercising and strengthening the human wrist, which comprises a concave trough with two parallel spaced members projecting from one end thereof and a grip rotatably mounted on the elongated member. The device fits on the human forearm directly above the wrist and provides wrist strengthening exercises for the user by means of the grip being biased by the force of the springs against the flexing of the wrist. No combination with a ball device or upper forearm is described or taught.
Other examples of exercise devices include a U.S. Pat. No. 4,377,282 issued to Hayes (1983) which teaches a wrist activator. It teaches a device that is particularly adapted for use by an athlete such as a baseball pitcher. The exercise apparatus has a weighted, elongated, rectangular frame which is adapted to be grasped by the pitcher and moved in a simulated pitching motion. The frame includes side members, a weighted cross member displaced to one side of the plane in which the frame lies at one end, a wrist-backing cross member at the other end, and a transverse hand grip intermediate the two ends which is longitudinally adjustable to accommodate variations in the length of the user's hand. No pitcher grip control or forearm strengthening is anticipated. A U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,545 issued to Sagedahl et al (1986) teaches a complex Isokinetic exercise apparatus and method. Here s a device that is directed to an exercising apparatus which includes a torque arm for rotation on a shaft which is connected to a countertorque machine. The exercising person moves torque arm through a flexible strap. Strap includes a loop for sliding along torque arm. The flexibility and sliding capability of strap provide for the person to do the exact movement which he would otherwise do during an athletic event. Therefore, the person may exercise good form and coordination at the threshold speed of the resistance machine for the movement of a particular sport. The device is complex and expensive as compared with the simple Parnell device and method.
An exerciser for softball pitchers was shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,598 issued to Finch (1993). It taught an exerciser for softball pitchers who are especially trying to strengthen the muscles in the shoulder and arm of the user. The exerciser has a base which may be attached to a fixed frame member. A rotatable arm is held by the base, and a brake pad and shoe assembly is affixed between the rotatable arm and the base. The amount of pressure between the brake pads and the brake shoe is adjustable. A curved arm is held by the arm-support member, and a flexible line is attached at its remote end. The flexible line is about one-half the length of the curved arm. The curved arm may be rotated 360.degree. around the base. The device is non-portable, complex and expensive when compared to the Parnell device. Another exerciser device is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,305 issued to Romney (1994) that teaches a device to augment exercise. It shows an apparatus for augmenting exercise of body muscle(s) comprising one or more articles of close-fitting wearing apparel employing one or more removable elongate resistance members, loosely enclosed in passageways along a portion of the length of the apparel, which resistance members releasably anchored at one end to a fixed-in-place member such as a belt or a shoulder harness and attached at the distal end to the extremity of an arm or leg, the apparatus being devised so as to increase the energy required by a user to flex his arms or legs over the energy level necessary without the resistance of the elongate resistance members. The device is complex and covers exercise beyond the needs and scope of pitching.
A simple training device for throwing a ball was shown and taught by the U.S. Pat. No. 6,884,187 issued to Cataldi et al (2005). The patent taught a throwing exercise apparatus using a sphere with an internal polar passageway to deliver end portions a non-elastic band of which one end portion circumscribes the outer surface of the sphere and extends to the other end portion where they are joined together by a fastener. The device has no interaction with the forearm or grip enhancement as does the Parnell device. A U.S. Pat. No. 6,896,631 issued to Fairchild (2006) was focused on a simple follow-through device of a flapper attached to the leg of a pitcher near the knee. It was conceived to teach follow through and did not aid the exercise of the wrist and forearm as the Parnell device.
A arm and wrist combination is shown and taught by the Power Arm Worker by Line Drive at www.http://store.linedrive.com. The device has similar configuration as the Parnell device except it does not anticipate or teach the combination with the softball and enhanced grip techniques. As far as known, there is no other Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers at the present time which fully provide these improvements and functional characteristics as the present Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers. It is believed that this device is made with improved configurations and physical features to provide more functionality when compared to other currently utilized softball exercisers and development apparatus. The particular combinations of materials and features are unique and novel and are not anticipated by prior art. Likewise, by using a Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers a more professional and effective result in training softball pitchers may be achieved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONA Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers has been developed and designed to provide a unique combination that is specifically related to devices and methods to improve pitching, particularly softball pitching. The Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers may be used to improve pitching skills and strength for amateur and professional ball players. The benefits are delineated below.
The preferred embodiment of the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers is comprised of a unique combination of an existing tension machine combined with an adjustable mechanism to hold a softball. The combination permits a pitcher to improve overall arm strength, to improve grip and to enhance and strengthen the “snap strength” of the wrist—a characteristic critical for so many pitching movements. The device includes features that permit full padding of the arm and wrist for comfort and endurance. Likewise, the device includes features for easy adjustment of the tension and the ball location, plus a quick change feature for switching ball types and sizes.
Objects and AdvantagesThere are several objects and advantages of the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers. There are currently no known pitching exercise device that are effective at providing the objects of this invention.
The following TABLE A summarizes various advantages and objects of the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers. This list is exemplary and not limiting to the many advantages offered by this new device.
Noteworthy is that other advantages and additional features of the present Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers will be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the full description of the device. For one skilled in the art of exercising and development devices for pitchers, it is readily understood that the features shown in the examples with this device is readily adapted for improvement to other types of exercising and training means.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate a preferred and alternative embodiments for the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below serve to explain the principles of the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers. It is understood, however, that the device is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
The following list refers to the drawings:
The present invention presented is a Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers 31. Particularly the preferred embodiment of the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers 31 is related to devices and methods to improve pitching, particularly softball pitching. The preferred embodiment of the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers is comprised of a unique combination of an existing tension machine combined with an adjustable mechanism to hold a softball. The combination permits a pitcher to improve overall arm strength, to improve grip and to enhance and strengthen the “snap strength” of the wrist—a characteristic critical for so many pitching movements.
There is shown in
The advantages are listed above in the introduction of the specification in Table A.
The preferred embodiment of the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers 31 is comprised of a unique combination of an existing tension machine 50 et al combined with an adjustable yoke 40 et al mechanism to hold a softball 32. The combination permits a pitcher 70 to improve overall arm strength, to improve grip and to enhance and strengthen the “snap strength” of the wrist—a characteristic critical for so many pitching movements.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate a preferred 31 embodiment of the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below serve to explain the principles of the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers 31. It is understood, however, that the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers 31 is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
All of the details mentioned here are exemplary and not limiting. Other components specific to describing a Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers 31 may be added as a person having ordinary skill in the field of exercise and development devices for softball pitchers well appreciates.
Operation of the Preferred EmbodimentThe preferred embodiment for the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers 31 have been described in the above paragraphs. The manner of how the device operates is described below. One skilled in the art of exercise and development devices for softball pitchers will note that the description above and the operation described here must be taken together to fully illustrate the concept of the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers 31.
The preferred embodiment of the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers 31 is comprised of is comprised of a unique combination of an existing tension machine 50 et al combined with an adjustable yoke mechanism 40 et al to hold a softball 32. The combination permits a pitcher to improve overall arm strength, to improve grip 60 and to enhance and strengthen the “snap strength” of the wrist—a characteristic critical for so many pitching movements. The device includes features that permit full padding 36, 37 of the arm and wrist for comfort and endurance. Likewise, the device includes features for easy adjustment of the tension 52 and the ball location 40 et al, plus a quick change feature for switching ball types and sizes. These features and details of the device 31 are described above.
The various options for uses are shown in the following Table method of using the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers 31 are summarized in the following Table D.
Here the use of the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers 31 anticipates a market initially to amateur softball pitchers but this will not limit the device to use in amateur sports or for softball only. Other sports including baseball, bowling, handball, racquetball and the like are within the spirit and scope of exercising with this device with minimal enhancements and features.
The method of using the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers 31 are summarized in the following Table E.
With the above description it is to be understood that the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers 31 is not to be limited to only the disclosed embodiment. The features of the Special wrist snap developing and exercising device for softball pitchers 31 are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the description.
Claims
1. A Special wrist snap developing and exercising device 31 for a softball pitcher 70 comprised of wherein said special device may be used to develop and exercise the wrist, fingers and arm of a sports person.
- (a) a softball 32;
- (b) a tensioner device 50 made of durable materials;
- (c) a means to adjust the tensioner 50; and
- (d) a means to adjustably secure the softball 32 to the tensioner 50
2. The object according to claim 1 wherein the tensioner device is a spring and cable.
3. The object according to claim 1 wherein the tensioner device is a threaded engagement.
4. The object according to claim 1 wherein the tensioner device is a series of elastomeric bands.
5. The object according to claim 4 wherein the elastomeric material is a rubber.
6. The object according to claim 4 wherein the elastomeric material is a synthetic rubber.
7. The object according to claim 1 wherein the durable material is a composite materials.
8. The object according to claim 7 wherein the composite material is a plastic.
9. The object according to claim 8 wherein the plastic is a reinforced plastic.
10. The object according to claim 1 wherein the durable material is a lightweight metal.
11. The object according to claim 1 wherein the sports person plays softball.
12. The object according to claim 1 wherein the sports person plays baseball.
13. The object according to claim 1 wherein the sports person plays handball.
14. The object according to claim 1 wherein the sports person bowls.
15. The object according to claim 1 wherein the sports person plays racquetball.
16. A system and a method for teaching correct softball throwing techniques.
17. A method according to claim 16 comprised of performing the following steps:
- STEP 1: Insert one's pitching hand through the large end opening,
- STEP 2: Grip the ball as if he/she is getting ready to pitch.
- STEP 3: Hold the Exerciser down along side of the body as in a delivery position.
- STEP 4: Curl the hand in an upward position to snap the wrist
- STEP 5: Adjust the tension rod (located on top of Exerciser) according to ones ability and strength
- STEP 6: Optional—Different balls can be inserted by loosening the outer knobs on both sides of the hand yoke.
- STEP 7: Optional—Different balls can be purchased separately for this
- STEP 8: Loosen the outer knobs the device can be adjusted according to hand size
- STEP 9: Exercise the arm by moving it through the positions
- STEP 10: Repeat as desired or needed to develop strength
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 17, 2008
Publication Date: Dec 25, 2008
Inventor: Tim Parnell (Alexandria, IN)
Application Number: 12/214,147
International Classification: A63B 23/16 (20060101); A63B 69/00 (20060101);