FIELDING AID ACCESSORY TO SECURE ON A FOREARM OF A PLAYER TO ENSURE OPTIMAL ARM POSITION

Abstract

Disclosed is a fielding aid accessory to secure on a forearm of a player to ensure optimal arm position. In one embodiment, a fielding aid accessory includes a rectangular arcuate panel, a first loop strap, a first hook strap, a second extension strap, and a retaining element. The first loop strap and the first hook strap are anchored at a center of a first side of the rectangular arcuate panel to wrappably attach and secure the fielding aid accessory onto a forearm of an athlete. The second extension strap is anchored on a second side of a top of the rectangular arcuate panel to extend over and through a center opening of a fielding glove to securely affix the fielding glove to the rectangular arcuate panel. The retaining element is anchored at a bottom side of the rectangular arcuate panel to enable the athlete to securely position the fingers of the athlete.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a Continuation-In-Part application of and claims priority to, and incorporates herein by reference the entire specification of the U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 15/356,554 titled BASEBALL OR SOFTBALL FIELDING AID ACCESSORY, filed on Nov. 19, 2016.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

This disclosure relates generally to a sports accessory and, more particularly, to a method, and/or an apparatus of a fielding aid accessory to secure on a forearm of a player to ensure optimal arm position.

BACKGROUND

A field game (e.g., baseball, softball, cricket) may be a team sport in which two opposing teams compete with each other in a confined physical area. The field game might consist of two teams, with each team rotating between a batting side and a fielding side. The batting side may use a bat to hit a ball to score runs. The fielding side may need to catch the ball while playing the field game to prevent runs from being scored.

The players (e.g., shortstop) of fielding team may wear a fielding glove (e.g., baseball glove, a softball glove, a mitt) while fielding and/or catching the ball. The fielding glove may be a covering for a hand worn for protection against injury, cold, and/or dirt. The fielding glove may have separate parts for each finger and a thumb. Training players to properly use the fielding glove may require observation, repetition, and/or coaching. It may be expensive and impractical to watch each time a player attempts to catch the ball using the fielding glove. Even when the player is coached in proper use of the fielding glove, proper positioning of an arm and/or hand may be a skill that a player may need to develop on their own because it may involve human biomechanics of arm and hand coordination. A team that has poor fielding capability will often give away runs in a game because of fielding errors. The loss of these runs caused by errors might make the difference between losing and winning a game.

SUMMARY

Disclosed are a method, and/or an apparatus of a fielding aid accessory to secure on a forearm of a player to ensure optimal arm position.

In one aspect, a fielding aid accessory includes a rectangular arcuate panel, a first loop strap, a first hook strap, a second extension strap, and a retaining element. The rectangular arcuate panel is made of a rigid membrane. The first loop strap and the first hook strap are anchored at a center of a first side of the rectangular arcuate panel. The first hook strap wrappably attaches with the first loop strap to secure the fielding aid accessory onto a forearm of an athlete. The second extension strap is anchored on a second side of a top of the rectangular arcuate panel.

In addition, the second extension strap extends over and through a center opening of a fielding glove to securely affix the fielding glove to the rectangular arcuate panel. The second extension strap wraps around a wrist strap of the fielding glove. A hook fastener of the second extension strap secures a loop fastener positioned on an interior body of the rectangular arcuate panel. The retaining element is anchored at a bottom side of the rectangular arcuate panel to enable the athlete to securely position the fingers of the athlete. The retaining element encompasses the fingers of the hand when the fielding glove is securely affixed to the rectangular arcuate panel.

The fielding aid accessory may hold the fielding aid accessory in a front-facing angle to enable a mitt section of the fielding glove to encompass a ball object. The fielding glove may be extended open through extension of fingers of a hand of the athlete when the ball object is thrown to the athlete. The fielding aid accessory may ensure an appropriate fielding posture of the athlete wearing the fielding aid accessory. The athlete wearing the fielding aid accessory may hold the fielding aid accessory in the front-facing angle of the mitt section of the fielding glove when the ball object is thrown to the athlete.

Further, the fielding aid accessory may restrain the fielding glove from contracting. The fielding glove may remain open through extension of fingers to create more room for the ball object to be captured by the athlete in the mitt section of the fielding glove when the ball object is thrown to the athlete. The rectangular arcuate panel of the fielding aid accessory may be designed to hold the fielding glove in a proper glove presentation to appropriately field the ball object. The first strap is a hook and/or a loop fastener. The second extension strap may be a hook and/or loop fasteners. The retaining element may be an elastic cord.

In another aspect, a fielding aid equipment includes a rigid rectangular center segment, a first loop extension, a first hook extension, and a retaining element. The rigid rectangular center segment is enfolded by a protective membrane. The first loop extension and the first hook extension are anchored at a center of a first side of the rigid rectangular center segment. A hook fastener of the first hook extension is positioned at a bottom side of the rigid rectangular center segment to wrappably attach with the first loop extension.

In addition, the hook fastener of the first hook extension attaches with the first loop extension to secure the fielding aid equipment directly onto a forearm of an athlete. The retaining element is anchored at the bottom side of the rigid rectangular center segment. The retaining element has a space to allow the athlete to securely position the fingers of a hand by encompassing the fingers inside the retaining element.

The fielding aid equipment may hold the fielding aid equipment in a front-facing angle to enable a palm section of the athlete to encompass a ball object. The palm section may be extended open through extension of fingers of the hand of the athlete when the ball object is thrown to the athlete. The fielding aid equipment may ensure an appropriate fielding posture of the athlete wearing the fielding aid equipment. The athlete wearing the fielding aid equipment may hold the fielding aid equipment in the front-facing angle of the palm section of the hand when the ball object is thrown to the athlete.

The fielding aid equipment may restrain the palm section from contracting. The palm section may remain open through extension of fingers to create more room for the ball object to be captured by the athlete in the palm section when the ball object is thrown to the athlete. The rigid rectangular center segment of the fielding aid equipment may be designed to position the forearm at an optimum angle to efficiently field the ball object. The fielding aid equipment may enforce the wrist and the palm section of the forearm in an open state to enable appropriate fielding of the ball object.

In a further aspect, a method of wearing a fielding aid accessory to securely affix a fielding glove on a forearm of an athlete include positioning the fingers of the athlete through a space of a retaining element of the fielding aid accessory. The method of wearing the fielding aid accessory to securely affix the fielding glove on the forearm of the athlete include extending the second extension strap through the center opening of the fielding glove. The method of wearing the fielding aid accessory to securely affix the fielding glove on the forearm of the athlete include fastening a second hook strap of the second extension strap to a second loop strap of the rectangular arcuate panel.

In addition, the second hook strap and the second loop strap wraps around a wrist strap of the fielding glove to secure the fielding glove with the fielding aid accessory. The method of wearing the fielding aid accessory to securely affix the fielding glove on the forearm of the athlete include fastening a first hook strap to wrappably attach with the first loop strap to secure the fielding aid accessory on the forearm of the athlete. The method of the fielding aid accessory may further include creating a muscle memory in the forearm of the athlete by restraining the fielding glove from contracting.

The methods and systems disclosed herein may be implemented in any means for achieving various aspects, and may be executed in a form of a non-transitory machine-readable medium embodying a set of instructions that, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform any of the operations disclosed herein. Other features will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments of this invention are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a fielding aid accessory illustrating a first loop strap, a first hook strap and a second extension strap of a rectangular arcuate panel for securing the rectangular arcuate panel onto a forearm of an athlete to securely affix a fielding glove, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the fielding aid accessory of FIG. 1A illustrating an optimum angle of the rectangular arcuate panel for proper positioning of hand to field the ball object, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a functional view of the fielding aid accessory of FIG. 1A secured onto the forearm of the athlete to enable the retaining element of the rectangular arcuate panel for insertion of fingers, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 2B is another functional view of the fielding aid accessory of FIG. 1A secured onto the forearm of the athlete to position the athlete's hand aligned with the optimum angle of the rectangular arcuate panel, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3A is a functional view of the fielding aid accessory of FIG. 1A secured onto the forearm of the athlete to securely affix a fielding glove, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 3B is another functional view of the fielding aid accessory of FIG. 1A illustrating the second extension strap of the rectangular arcuate panel to secure the fielding glove with the rectangular arcuate panel, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 4 is an operation view of the fielding aid accessory of FIG. 1A illustrating a sequential procedure of wearing the fielding aid accessory onto the forearm of the athlete to securely affix the fielding glove, according to one embodiment, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5A is an application view of the fielding aid accessory of FIG. 1A secured onto the forearm and the fielding glove of the athlete to field the ground ball, according to one or more embodiments.

FIG. 5B is another application view of the fielding aid accessory of FIG. 1A secured onto the forearm and the fielding glove of the athlete to field the backhand ball, according to one or more embodiments.

Other features of the present embodiments will be apparent from the accompanying drawings and from the detailed description that follows.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example embodiments, as described below, may be used to provide a method, and/or an apparatus of a fielding aid accessory to secure on a forearm of a player to ensure optimal arm position.

In one embodiment, a fielding aid accessory 100 includes a rectangular arcuate panel 102, a first loop strap 104A, a first hook strap 104B, a second extension strap 106, and a retaining element 108. The rectangular arcuate panel 102 is made of a rigid membrane. The first loop strap 104A and the first hook strap 104B are anchored at a center of a first side of the rectangular arcuate panel 102. The first hook strap 104B wrappably attaches with the first loop strap 104A to secure the fielding aid accessory 100 onto a forearm 200 of an athlete 500. The second extension strap 106 is anchored on a second side of a top of the rectangular arcuate panel 102.

In addition, the second extension strap 106 extends over and through a center opening 304 of a fielding glove 300 to securely affix the fielding glove 300 to the rectangular arcuate panel 102. The second extension strap 106 wraps around a wrist strap 306 of the fielding glove 300. A hook fastener 106A of the second extension strap 106 secures a loop fastener 106B positioned on an interior body of the rectangular arcuate panel 102. The retaining element 108 is anchored at a bottom side of the rectangular arcuate panel 102 to enable the athlete to securely position the fingers of the athlete 500. The retaining element 108 encompasses the fingers of the hand when the fielding glove 300 is securely affixed to the rectangular arcuate panel 102, according to one embodiment.

The fielding aid accessory 100 may hold the fielding aid accessory 100 in a front-facing angle to enable a mitt section 302 of the fielding glove 500 to encompass a ball object 502. The fielding glove 300 may be extended open through extension of fingers of a hand of the athlete 500 when the ball object 502 is thrown to the athlete 500. The fielding aid accessory 100 may ensure an appropriate fielding posture of the athlete 500 wearing the fielding aid accessory 100. The athlete 500 wearing the fielding aid accessory 100 may hold the fielding aid accessory 100 in the front-facing angle of the mitt section 302 of the fielding glove 300 when the ball object 502 is thrown to the athlete 500, according to one embodiment.

Further, the fielding aid accessory 100 may restrain the fielding glove 300 from contracting. The fielding glove 300 may remain open through extension of fingers to create more room for the ball object 502 to be captured by the athlete 500 in the mitt section 302 of the fielding glove 300 when the ball object 502 is thrown to the athlete 500, according to one embodiment.

The rectangular arcuate panel 102 of the fielding aid accessory 100 may be designed to hold the fielding glove 300 in a proper glove presentation to appropriately field the ball object 502. The first strap and is a hook (e.g., first hook strap 104B)) and/or a loop (e.g., first loop strap 104A) fastener. The second extension strap 106 may be a hook (e.g., first loop strap 104A) and/or loop (e.g., loop fastener 106B) fasteners. The retaining element 108 may be an elastic cord, according to one embodiment.

In another embodiment, a fielding aid equipment (e.g., fielding aid accessory 100) includes a rigid rectangular center segment (e.g., rectangular arcuate panel 102), a first loop extension (e.g., first loop strap 104A), a first hook extension (e.g., first hook strap 104B), and a retaining element 108. The rigid rectangular center segment (e.g., rectangular arcuate panel 102) is enfolded by a protective membrane.

The first loop extension (e.g., first loop strap 104A) and the first hook extension (e.g., first hook strap 104B) are anchored at a center of a first side of the rigid rectangular center segment (e.g., rectangular arcuate panel 102). A hook fastener of the first hook extension (e.g., first hook strap 104B) is positioned at a bottom side of the rigid rectangular center segment (e.g., rectangular arcuate panel 102) to wrappably attach with the first loop extension (e.g., first loop strap 104A).

In addition, the hook fastener of the first hook extension (e.g., first hook strap 104B) attaches with the first loop extension (e.g., first loop strap 104A) to secure the fielding aid equipment (e.g., fielding aid accessory 100) directly onto a forearm 200 of an athlete 500. The retaining element 108 is anchored at the bottom side of the rigid rectangular center segment (e.g., rectangular arcuate panel 102). The retaining element 108 has a space to allow the athlete 500 to securely position the fingers of a hand by encompassing the fingers inside the retaining element 108, according to one embodiment.

The fielding aid equipment (e.g., fielding aid accessory 100) may hold the fielding aid equipment (e.g., fielding aid accessory 100) in a front-facing angle to enable a palm section 202 of the athlete 500 to encompass a ball object 502. The palm section 202 may be extended open through extension of fingers of the hand of the athlete 500 when the ball object 502 is thrown to the athlete 500, according to one embodiment.

The fielding aid equipment (e.g., fielding aid accessory 100) may ensure an appropriate fielding posture of the athlete 500 wearing the fielding aid equipment (e.g., fielding aid accessory 100). The athlete 500 wearing the fielding aid equipment (e.g., fielding aid accessory 100) may hold the fielding aid equipment (e.g., fielding aid accessory 100) in the front-facing angle of the palm section 202 of the hand when the ball object 502 is thrown to the athlete 500, according to one embodiment.

The fielding aid equipment (e.g., fielding aid accessory 100) may restrain the palm section 202 from contracting. The palm section 202 may remain open through extension of fingers to create more room for the ball object 502 to be captured by the athlete 500 in the palm section 202 when the ball object 502 is thrown to the athlete 500, according to one embodiment.

The rigid rectangular center segment (e.g., rectangular arcuate panel 102) of the fielding aid equipment (e.g., fielding aid accessory 100) may be designed to position the forearm 200 at an optimum angle 110 to efficiently field the ball object 502. The fielding aid equipment (e.g., fielding aid accessory 100) may enforce the wrist and the palm section 202 of the forearm 200 in an open state to enable appropriate fielding of the ball object 502, according to one embodiment.

In a further embodiment, a method of wearing a fielding aid accessory 100 to securely affix a fielding glove 300 on a forearm 200 of an athlete 500 include positioning the fingers of the athlete 500 through a space of a retaining element 108 of the fielding aid accessory 100. The method of wearing the fielding aid accessory 100 to securely affix the fielding glove 300 on the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 include extending the second extension strap 106 through the center opening 304 of the fielding glove 300. The method of wearing the fielding aid accessory 100 to securely affix the fielding glove 300 on the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 include fastening a second hook strap (e.g., hook fastener 106A) of the second extension strap 106 to a second loop strap (e.g., loop fastener 106B) of the rectangular arcuate panel 102.

In addition, the second hook strap (e.g., hook fastener 106A) and the second loop strap (e.g., loop fastener 106B) wraps around a wrist strap 306 of the fielding glove 300 to secure the fielding glove 300 with the fielding aid accessory 100. The method of wearing the fielding aid accessory 100 to securely affix the fielding glove 300 on the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 include fastening a first hook strap 104A to wrappably attach with the first loop strap 104B to secure the fielding aid accessory 100 on the forearm 200 of the athlete 500. The method of the fielding aid accessory 100 may further include creating a muscle memory in the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 by restraining the fielding glove 300 from contracting, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 1A is a top perspective view 150A of a fielding aid accessory 100 illustrating a first loop strap 104A, a first hook strap 104B and a second extension strap 106 of a rectangular arcuate panel 102 for securing the rectangular arcuate panel 102 onto a forearm 200 of an athlete 500 to securely affix a fielding glove 300, according to one embodiment. Particularly, FIG. 1A illustrates a fielding aid accessory 100, a rectangular arcuate panel 102, a first loop strap 104A, a first hook strap 104B, a second extension strap 106, a hook fastener 106A, a loop fastener 106B and a retaining element 108, according to one embodiment.

The fielding aid accessory 100 may be a training apparatus for the athlete 500 to help learning an appropriate body posture to efficiently field the ball object 502. The fielding aid accessory 100 may be secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500. The fielding aid accessory 100 may enable the athlete wearing the fielding aid accessory 100 to biomechanically understand the ideal body position to efficiently field the ball object. The fielding aid accessory 100 may enable the athlete 500 to use proper hand, glove and/or wrist position to field the ball object 502. The fielding aid accessory 100 may help the athlete 500 to improve the timing and footwork to field the ball object 502. Further, the fielding aid accessory 100 may create a muscle memory in the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 to consistently be in the appropriate fielding position to field the ball object 502, according to one embodiment.

In another embodiment, the fielding aid accessory 100 may be secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 to efficiently field the ball object 502 (e.g., racquetball ball, tennis ball, cricket ball etc.). The fielding aid accessory 100 may enable the athlete 500 to hold the fielding aid accessory 100 in a front-facing angle. The fielding aid accessory 100 in the front-facing angle may enable the athlete 500 to encompass the ball object 502 in a palm section 202 of the hand. The fielding aid accessory 100 may restrain the hand of the athlete 500 from contracting. The fielding aid accessory 100 may enable to hit the ball object 502 on the same spot (e.g., palm section 202 of hand) every time to make the transfer process quicker and easier.

In a further embodiment, the fielding aid accessory 100 secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 may be securely affixed with the fielding glove 300. The fielding aid accessory 100 onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 securely affixed with the fielding glove 300 may enable the athlete 500 to hold the fielding aid accessory 100 in a front-facing angle. The fielding aid accessory 100 securely affixed with the fielding glove 300 in the front-facing angle may enable the athlete 500 to encompass the ball object 502 (e.g., softball, baseball etc.) in a mitt section 302 of the fielding glove 300. The fielding aid accessory 100 may restrain the fielding glove 300 from contracting. The fielding aid accessory 100 may enable to hit the ball object 502 on the same spot (e.g., mitt section 302 of fielding glove 300) every time to make the transfer process quicker and easier.

The fielding aid accessory 100 may include the rectangular arcuate panel 102, the first loop strap 104A, the first hook strap 104B, the second extension strap 106, and the retaining element 108. The rectangular arcuate panel 102 may be a rigid assembly of the fielding aid accessory 100 to securely position onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500. The rectangular arcuate panel 102 may be made of a rigid membrane, according to one embodiment.

The rectangular arcuate panel 102 of the fielding aid accessory 100 may be designed to position the forearm 200 at the optimum angle 110 to efficiently field the ball object 502. The rectangular arcuate panel 102 may include the first loop strap 104A and the first hook strap 104B anchored at a center of a first side of the rectangular arcuate panel 102 to secure the fielding aid accessory 100 onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500, according to one embodiment.

In addition, the rectangular arcuate panel 102 may include the second extension strap 106 anchored on a second side of a top of the rectangular arcuate panel 102 to securely affix the fielding glove 300 to the rectangular arcuate panel 102. Further, the rectangular arcuate panel 102 may include the loop fastener 106B positioned on an interior body of the rectangular arcuate panel 102 to secure with the hook fastener 106A of the second extension strap 106. The rectangular arcuate panel 102 may include the retaining element 108 anchored at a bottom side of the rectangular arcuate panel 102 to enable the athlete 500 to securely position the fingers to wear the fielding aid accessory 100 onto the forearm 200, according to one embodiment.

The first loop strap 104A and the first hook strap 104B may be the fastening components of the fielding aid accessory 100 to secure the fielding aid accessory 100 onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500. The first loop strap 104A and the first hook strap 104B may be anchored at the center of the first side of the rectangular arcuate panel 102. The first hook strap 104B may be wrappably attached with the first loop strap 104A to secure the fielding aid accessory 100 onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500, according to one embodiment.

The second extension strap 106 may be a flexible attachment band to enable the fielding aid accessory 100 to securely affix the fielding glove 300 with the rectangular arcuate panel 102 of the fielding aid accessory 100. The second extension strap 106 may be anchored on the second side of the top of the rectangular arcuate panel 102. The second extension strap 106 may extend over and through a center opening 304 of the fielding glove 300 to securely affix the fielding glove 300 to the rectangular arcuate panel 102. The second extension strap 106 may wrap around a wrist strap 306 of the fielding glove 300 to securely affix the fielding glove 300 to the rectangular arcuate panel 102, according to one embodiment.

The second extension strap 106 may include the hook fastener 106A and the loop fastener. The hook fastener 106A and the loop fastener 106B may be the fastening components of the second extension strap 106 to enable the fielding aid accessory 100 to securely affix the fielding glove 300 with the rectangular arcuate panel 102 of the fielding aid accessory 100. The hook fastener 106A of the second extension strap 106 may be secured with the loop fastener 106B positioned on the interior body of the rectangular arcuate panel 102, according to one embodiment.

The retaining element 108 may be a flexible strap anchored at both the ends to enable the athlete 500 to securely position the fingers of the athlete 500. The retaining element 108 may be an elastic cord. The retaining element 108 may be anchored at the bottom side of the rectangular arcuate panel 102. The retaining element 108 may have a space to enable the athlete 500 to securely position the fingers inside the retaining element 108. The retaining element 108 may encompass the fingers when the fielding glove 300 is securely affixed to the rectangular arcuate panel 102, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 1B is a side view 150B of the fielding aid accessory 100 of FIG. 1A illustrating an optimum angle 110 of the rectangular arcuate panel 102 for proper positioning of hand to field the ball object 502, according to one embodiment. Particularly, FIG. 1B illustrates an optimum angle 110, according to one embodiment.

The optimum angle 110 may be an inclination of the rectangular arcuate panel 102 designed to enable proper hand, glove (e.g., fielding glove 300) and/or wrist position of the athlete 500 wearing the fielding aid accessory 100 to efficiently field the ball object 502. The optimum angle 110 of the rectangular arcuate panel 102 may enable to position the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 to efficiently field the ball object 502. The optimum angle 110 of the rectangular arcuate panel 102 may be approximately 130 to 140 degrees, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a functional view 250A of the fielding aid accessory 100 of FIG. 1A secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 to enable the retaining element 108 of the rectangular arcuate panel 102 for insertion of fingers, according to one embodiment. Particularly, FIG. 2A illustrates a forearm 200 and a palm section 202, according to one embodiment.

The fingers of the hand may be securely positioned inside the retaining element 108 and first hook strap 104B wrappably attached with the first loop strap 104A to secure the fielding aid accessory 100 onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500. The fielding aid accessory 100 may be firmly secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 to position the forearm 200 at the optimum angle 110 to efficiently field the ball object 502. The design of the fielding aid accessory 100 may enforce the wrist and the palm section 202 of the forearm 200 in an open state to enable appropriate fielding of the ball object 502, according to one embodiment.

The palm section 202 may be extended open through extension of fingers of the hand of the athlete 500 to create more room for the ball object 502 when the fielding aid accessory 100 secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500. The palm section 202 may be restrained from contracting when the fielding aid accessory 100 secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500. The athlete 500 wearing the fielding aid accessory 100 may encompass the ball object 502 in the palm section 202 of the hand. The fielding aid accessory 100 may enable to hit the ball object 502 on the same spot (e.g., palm section 202 of hand) every time to make the transfer process quicker and easier, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2A shows the fielding aid accessory 100 secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 when the fingers of the athlete 500 are securely positioned inside the retaining element 108 and the first hook strap 104B is wrappably attached with the first loop strap 104A. The fielding aid accessory 100 is firmly secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 to position the forearm 200 at the optimum angle 110. The palm section 202 is extended open to create room to efficiently field the ball object 502. The optimum angle 110 of the wrist and extended open palm section 202 enables to hit ball object 502 on the same spot (e.g., palm section 202 of hand) every time to make the transfer process quicker and easier, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2B is another functional view 250B of the fielding aid accessory 100 of FIG. 1A secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 to position the athlete's 500 hand aligned with the optimum angle 110 of the rectangular arcuate panel 102, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2B shows the fielding aid accessory 100 secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 when the fingers of the athlete 500 are securely positioned inside the retaining element 108 and the first hook strap 104B is wrappably attached with the first loop strap 104A. The design of the rectangular arcuate panel 102 positions the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 at the optimum angle 110. Further, FIG. 2B shows the hook fastener 106A of the second extension strap 106 is directly secured with the loop fastener 106B when the athlete 500 is fielding the ball object 502 without attaching the fielding glove 300, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3A is a functional view 350A of the fielding aid accessory 100 of FIG. 1A secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 to securely affix a fielding glove 300, according to one embodiment. Particularly, FIG. 3A illustrates a fielding glove 300, and a mitt section 302, according to one embodiment.

The fielding glove 300 may be a padded protective covering for the hand of the athlete 500 to assist in catching and/or fielding the ball object 502. The fielding glove 300 may be securely affixed to the rectangular arcuate panel 102 when the second extension strap 106 is extended through the center opening 304 and attached with the loop fastener 106B. The fielding glove 300 may be restrained from contracting when the fielding aid accessory 100 securely affixed with the fielding glove 300, according to one embodiment.

The fielding glove 300 may be extended open through extension of fingers of a hand of the athlete 500 to create more room for the ball object 502 when the ball object 502 is thrown to the athlete 500. The fielding glove 300 may be in a proper presentation to position the hand of the athlete 500 at the optimum angle 110 to efficiently field the ball object 502 due to the design of the rectangular arcuate panel 102, according to one embodiment.

The mitt section 302 may be extended open to create more room for the ball object 502 when the fielding aid accessory 100 securely affixed with the fielding glove 300. The mitt section 302 may be restrained from contracting when the fielding aid accessory 100 securely affixed with the fielding glove 300. The athlete 500 wearing the fielding glove 300 securely affixed with the fielding aid accessory 100 may encompass the ball object 502 in the mitt section 302 of the fielding glove 300. The fielding aid accessory 100 may enable the fielding glove 300 to hit the ball object 502 on the same spot (e.g., mitt section 302) every time to make the transfer process quicker and easier, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3A shows the fielding glove 300 securely affixed to the rectangular arcuate panel 102 of the fielding aid accessory 100 secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500. The fielding glove 300 securely affixes to the fielding aid accessory 100 to position the forearm 200 at the optimum angle 110. The mitt section 302 of the fielding glove 300 is extended open to create room to efficiently field the ball object 502. The optimum angle 110 of the wrist and extended open mitt section 302 enables the ball object 502 to hit on the same spot (e.g., mitt section 302) every time to make the transfer process quicker and easier, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3B is another functional view 350B of the fielding aid accessory 100 of FIG. 1A illustrating the second extension strap 106 of the rectangular arcuate panel 102 to secure the fielding glove 300 with the rectangular arcuate panel 102, according to one embodiment. Particularly, FIG. 3B illustrates a center opening 304, and a wrist strap 306, according to one embodiment.

The center opening 304 of a fielding glove 300 may enable the second extension strap 106 to extend through to securely affix the fielding glove 300 to the rectangular arcuate panel 102. The wrist strap 306 may be a fastening component of the fielding glove 300 to wrappably attach the fielding glove 300 onto the wrist of the athlete 500. The wrist strap 306 may be wrapped around the second extension strap 106 to securely affix the fielding glove 300 to the rectangular arcuate panel 102, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3B shows the fielding glove 300 securely affixed to the rectangular arcuate panel 102 of the fielding aid accessory 100 secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500. The second extension strap 106 of the rectangular arcuate panel 102 extends over and through the center opening 304 of the fielding glove 300 to securely affix the fielding glove 300 to the rectangular arcuate panel 102. The second extension strap 106 wraps around the wrist strap 306 of the fielding glove 300 to securely affix the fielding glove 300 to the rectangular arcuate panel 102, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an operation view 450 of the fielding aid accessory 100 of FIG. 1A illustrating a sequential procedure of wearing the fielding aid accessory 100 onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 to securely affix the fielding glove 300, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates the number of operations between the forearm 200 of the athlete 500, the fielding aid accessory 100 and the fielding glove 300. Particularly, circle ‘1’ of FIG. 4 illustrates the fingers of the athlete 500 being inserted through the retaining element 108 of the fielding aid accessory 100 to position the fielding aid accessory 100 onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500. The circle ‘2’ shows the second extension strap 106 of the fielding aid accessory 100 being extended through the center opening 304 of the fielding glove 300, according to one embodiment.

The circle ‘3’ shows the hook fastener 106A of the second extension strap 106 being secured with the loop fastener 106B of the second extension strap 106 to the securely affix the fielding glove 300 to the rectangular arcuate panel 102 of the fielding aid accessory 100. The circle ‘4’ shows the first hook strap 104B being wrappably attached with the first loop strap 104A to secure the fielding aid accessory 100 onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5A is an application view 550A of the fielding aid accessory 100 of FIG. 1A secured onto the forearm 200 and the fielding glove 300 of the athlete 500 to field a ground ball (e.g., ball object 502), according to one embodiment. Particularly, FIG. 5A illustrates an athlete 500, and a ball object 502, according to one embodiment.

The athlete 500 may be a fielder who wishes to be in a desired fielding posture to efficiently field the ball object 502. The athlete 500 may securely position the fingers through the retaining element 108 of the rectangular arcuate panel 102 and wrappably attach the first strap (e.g., first hook strap 104B and first loop strap 104A) to secure the fielding aid accessory 100 onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500. The athlete 500 may securely affix the fielding aid accessory 100 with the fielding glove 300, according to one embodiment.

The athlete 500 wearing the fielding aid accessory 100 may have an appropriate fielding posture to efficiently field the ball object 502. The athlete 500 may hold the fielding aid accessory 100 in the front-facing angle to enable the mitt section 302 of the fielding glove 300 and/or the palm section 202 of the hand to encompass the ball object 502. The athlete 500 may field the ball object 502 in the mitt section 302 of the fielding glove 300 and/or the palm section 202 of the hand when the ball object 502 is thrown to the athlete 500, according to one embodiment.

The athlete 500 may be able to field the ground ball, the backhand ball, and/or the forehand ball when the fielding aid accessory 100 onto the forearm 200 securely affixed with the fielding glove 300. The ball object 502 may be efficiently field by the athlete 500 in the appropriate fielding posture. The ball object 502 may be a racquetball ball, a tennis ball, cricket ball, a softball, a, baseball etc. The ball object 502 may be encompassed in the mitt section 302 of the fielding glove 300 and/or the palm section 202 of the hand, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5A shows the athlete 500 wearing the fielding aid accessory 100 (secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500) securely affix to the fielding glove 300. The fielding aid accessory 100 secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 enables the athlete 500 to be in the proper fielding posture to efficiently field the ground ball (e.g., ball object 502), according to one embodiment.

The fielding aid accessory 100 may enable the athlete 500 to position the hand, glove and/or wrist at the optimum angle 110 to field the ground ball (e.g., ball object 502). The mitt section 302 of the fielding glove 300 is extended open to create room to efficiently field the ground ball (e.g., ball object 502). The optimum angle 110 of the wrist and extended open mitt section 302 enables the ball object 502 to hit on the same spot (e.g., mitt section 302) every time, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5B is another application view 550B of the fielding aid accessory 100 of FIG. 1A secured onto the forearm 200 and the fielding glove 300 of the athlete 500 to field the backhand ball (e.g., ball object 502), according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5B shows the athlete 500 wearing the fielding aid accessory 100 (secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500) securely affix to the fielding glove 300. The fielding aid accessory 100 secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 enables the athlete 500 to efficiently field the backhand ball (e.g., ball object 502). The fielding aid accessory 100 may enable the athlete 500 to position the hand, glove and/or wrist at the optimum angle 110 to field the backhand ball (e.g., ball object 502). The fielding aid accessory 100 secured onto the forearm 200 of the athlete 500 restrains the mitt section 302 of the fielding glove 300 from contracting and extends open to create room to efficiently field the backhand ball (e.g., ball object 502), according to one embodiment.

An example embodiment will now be described. John Doe may be working as a trainer at ACME Baseball Academy. John may be training all ages of students to develop their baseball skills to become better players. John may be training his students to align themselves in proper body position while fielding baseballs. John may have to spend more time with his students in explaining and/or practicing with them to observe proper positioning of the forearm, wrist, and/or hand to efficiently field and/or catch the ball at different positions. John may be unable to dedicate sufficient time for training his aspiring students in understanding the optimal position to hold their arm and hand position when fielding balls. John may face difficulty while training his students for correct body posture and/or forearm, wrist, and/or hand positioning for efficient fielding and/or catching the ball. Further, it may be difficult for some students to biomechanically understand what it means to be in an ideal body position to field the ball. Fielding and/or catching the ball with wrong body posture may physically harm players. Furthermore, misjudgment of speed and/or direction of the ball while fielding may result in injuries to the students.

To overcome the problem and effectively train students in properly fielding techniques, John may introduce the fielding aid accessory 100 described in various embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 to his students. The student (e.g., athlete 500) may be able to restrain their arm (e.g., forearm 200) position when fielding balls (e.g., ball object 502) to self-realize the biomechanics of proper fielding by physical restraint of arm (e.g., forearm 200) movement by using the fielding aid accessory 100 described in various embodiments of FIGS. 1-5. Therefore, John may save time, improve his success rate with his students, and enable his students to win more games. The students may develop into better players faster and avoid injuries thanks to the fielding aid accessory 100 described in various embodiments of FIGS. 1-5.

The fielding aid accessory 100 described in various embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 may enable the students to be in appropriate body posture to efficiently field the ball (e.g., ball object 502). The fielding aid accessory 100 described in various embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 may enable the students to simultaneously use proper hand, glove (e.g., fielding glove 300) and/or wrist position to field the ball (e.g., ball object 502). The fielding aid accessory 100 described in various embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 may help the students to improve the timing and footwork to field the ball (e.g., ball object 502). In addition, the fielding aid accessory 100 described in various embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 may create a muscle memory in the forearm 200 of the students to consistently be in the appropriate fielding position to field the ball (e.g., ball object 502).

Although the present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments.

A number of embodiments have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention. In addition, the logic flows depicted in the figures do not require the particular order shown, or sequential order, to achieve desirable results. In addition, other steps may be provided, or steps may be eliminated, from the described flows, and other components may be added to, or removed from, the described systems. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

It may be appreciated that the various systems, methods, and apparatus disclosed herein may be embodied in a machine-readable medium and/or a machine accessible medium compatible with a data processing system (e.g., a computer system), and/or may be performed in any order.

The structures and modules in the figures may be shown as distinct and communicating with only a few specific structures and not others. The structures may be merged with each other, may perform overlapping functions, and may communicate with other structures not shown to be connected in the figures. Accordingly, the specification and/or drawings may be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

1. A fielding aid accessory, comprising:

a rectangular arcuate panel made of a rigid membrane;

a first loop strap anchored at a center of a first side of the rectangular arcuate panel;

a first hook strap anchored at the center of the first side of the rectangular arcuate panel to wrappably attach with the first loop strap to secure the fielding aid accessory onto a forearm of an athlete;

a second extension strap anchored on a second side of a top of the rectangular arcuate panel to extend over and through a center opening of a fielding glove to securely affix the fielding glove to the rectangular arcuate panel, wherein the second extension strap wraps around a wrist strap of the fielding glove to secure a hook fastener of the second extension strap to a loop fastener positioned on an interior body of the rectangular arcuate panel; and

a retaining element anchored at a bottom side of the rectangular arcuate panel to enable the athlete to securely position the fingers such that the retaining element encompasses the fingers of the hand when the fielding glove is securely affixed to the rectangular arcuate panel.

2. The fielding aid accessory of claim 1, wherein the fielding aid accessory to hold the fielding aid accessory in a front-facing angle such that a mitt section of the fielding glove to more often encompass a ball object when the ball object is thrown at the athlete wearing the fielding aid accessory and the fielding glove is extended open through extension of fingers of a hand of the athlete when the ball object is thrown to the athlete.

3. The fielding aid accessory of claim 1, wherein the fielding aid accessory to ensure an appropriate fielding posture of the athlete wearing the fielding aid accessory by holding the fielding aid accessory in the front-facing angle of the mitt section of the fielding glove when the ball object is thrown at the athlete wearing the fielding aid accessory.

4. The fielding aid accessory of claim 1, wherein the fielding aid accessory to restrain the fielding glove from contracting such that the fielding glove to remain open through extension of fingers to create more room for the ball object to be captured by the athlete in the mitt section of the fielding glove when the ball object is thrown to the athlete.

5. The fielding aid accessory of claim 1, wherein the rectangular arcuate panel of the fielding aid accessory is designed to hold the fielding glove in a proper glove presentation to appropriately field the ball object.

6. The fielding aid accessory of claim 1, wherein the first strap is at least one of a hook and a loop fastener.

7. The fielding aid accessory of claim 1, wherein the second extension strap is at least one of a hook and loop fasteners.

8. The fielding aid accessory of claim 1, wherein the retaining element is an elastic cord.

9. A fielding aid equipment, comprising:

a rigid rectangular center segment enfolded by a protective membrane;

a first loop extension anchored at a center of a first side of the rigid rectangular center segment;

a first hook extension anchored at a center of a first side of the rigid rectangular center segment, wherein a hook fastener of the first hook extension positioned at a bottom side of the rigid rectangular center segment to wrappably attach with the first loop extension to secure the fielding aid equipment directly onto a forearm of an athlete; and

a retaining element anchored at the bottom side of the rigid rectangular center segment to define a space to allow the athlete to securely position the fingers of a hand by encompassing the fingers inside the retaining element.

10. The fielding aid equipment of claim 9, wherein the fielding aid equipment to hold the fielding aid equipment in a front-facing angle such that a palm section of the athlete to more often encompass a ball object when the ball object is thrown at the athlete wearing the fielding aid accessory and the palm section is extended open through extension of fingers of the hand of the athlete when the ball object is thrown to the athlete.

11. The fielding aid equipment of claim 9, wherein the fielding aid equipment to ensure an appropriate fielding posture of the athlete wearing the fielding aid equipment by holding the fielding aid equipment in the front-facing angle of the palm section of the hand when the ball object is thrown at the athlete wearing the fielding aid equipment.

12. The fielding aid equipment of claim 9, wherein the fielding aid equipment to restrain the palm section from contracting such that the palm section to remain open through extension of fingers to create more room for the ball object to be captured by the athlete in the palm section when the ball object is thrown to the athlete.

13. The fielding aid equipment of claim 9, wherein the rigid rectangular center segment of the fielding aid equipment is designed to position the forearm at an optimum angle to efficiently field the ball object thrown at the athlete wearing the fielding aid equipment.

14. The fielding aid equipment of claim 9, wherein the fielding aid equipment to enforce the wrist and the palm section of the forearm in an open state to enable appropriate fielding of the ball object thrown at the athlete wearing the fielding aid equipment.

15. A method of wearing a fielding aid accessory to securely affix a fielding glove on a forearm of an athlete comprising:

positioning the fingers of the athlete through a space of a retaining element anchored at a bottom side of a rectangular arcuate panel of the fielding aid accessory;

extending a second extension strap anchored on a second side of a top of the rectangular arcuate panel through a center opening of the fielding glove;

fastening a second hook strap of the second extension strap to a second loop strap positioned on an interior body of the rectangular arcuate panel to wrap around a wrist strap of the fielding glove and secure with the fielding aid accessory; and

fastening a first hook strap anchored at a center of a first side of the rectangular arcuate panel to wrappably attach with the first loop strap to secure the fielding aid accessory on the forearm of the athlete.

16. The method of the fielding aid accessory of claim 15 further comprising: holding the fielding aid accessory in a front-facing angle such that a mitt section of the fielding glove to more often encompass a ball object when the ball object is thrown at the athlete wearing the fielding aid accessory and the fielding glove is extended opened through extension of fingers of a hand of the athlete when the ball object is thrown to the athlete.

17. The method of the fielding aid accessory of claim 15 further comprising: ensuring an appropriate fielding posture of the athlete wearing the fielding aid accessory by holding the fielding aid accessory in the front-facing angle of the mitt section of the fielding glove when the ball object is thrown at the athlete wearing the fielding aid accessory.

18. The method of the fielding aid accessory of claim 15 further comprising: restraining the fielding glove from contracting such that the fielding glove to remain open to create more room for the ball object to be captured by the athlete in the mitt section of the fielding glove when the ball object is thrown to the athlete.

19. The method of the fielding aid accessory of claim 15 further comprising: creating a muscle memory in the forearm of the athlete by restraining the fielding glove from contracting.

20. The method of the fielding aid accessory of claim 15 further comprising: enforcing the wrist and the mitt section of the fielding glove to remain in an open state to enable appropriate fielding of the ball object thrown at the athlete wearing the fielding aid equipment.