Training Strap and Glove

Abstract

A training glove or a strap comprising a rubberized fixture affixed to said palmar side of each of the said glove or strap to enable the player to securely grasp a ball thrown towards the palms of at said player, wherein the thumb is substantially not connected with any other finger of the player, either in the strap or glove embodiment, wherein the rubberized fixture is a protrusion to allow the fingers of each palm of the player to engage the ball to curl substantially to grasp the ball thrown at the player.

Description

[0001]This application claims priority to the Provisional Application with Ser. No. 61 / 270,480 filed Jul. 9, 2009BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a glove or a strap used for training individuals participating in football or basketball to securely grasp a ball with controlled flexion of the fingers.[0003]There are many different types of gloves which are used in sports such as baseball, basketball, football, tennis, racquetball, etc. These gloves are used to either improve performance (e.g., enabling higher accuracy shots in basketball) and / or provide protection while playing a sport. Training gloves, for example in basketball, also make it easy to grasp a ball by expanding the periphery of the players hand. Other types of gloves are designed to improve performance by keeping moisture away from the ball while in contact with the players hand thereby allowing a stable grasp on the ball before a throw.[0004]However, these gloves are generally not design...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a training glove or a strap for training basketball and football players for catching the ball thrown towards them. Since the strap involves minimal contact area with the palm of the strap user, it permits substantially larger breathing area for the palm, thereby substantially reducing the transmission of skin bacteria and diseases between players.

[0006]The strap circumnavigates the palm of each hand at least once and comprises a palmar side and a dorsal side. The palmar side of a strap on each palm is adjacent to the front of the palm of the hand, and the dorsal side is adjacent to the back of the corresponding palm. In the case of a glove, the glove fits snugly on the palm of the player and it could be a full-covering glove where the fingers are covered completely or a semi-covering glove where at least some of the fingers are exposed. Additionally, the glove may have breathing holes along the palmar and / or the dorsal side for reducing perspiration on the palm of the player.

[0007]To the training glove / strap a fixture, which may be a protrusion or a rubberized ejector, or a substantially flexible attachment is affixed on the palmar side of each or either one of the gloves / straps to enable the player to securely grasp a ball thrown towards the palms of at said player. Specifically, when a football or a basketball is thrown at the player wearing the glove / strap, if both the palms and fingers are curved substantially and correctly, relative to the wrist of the hand, then the ball can be grasped and retained in the fingers, and substantially away from the palm, of the player in a secure manner. In contrast, if the palms and the fingers of the hand are incorrectly angulated relative to the wrist, the ball is deflected by the protrusion away from the palm of the player due to the flexibility of the protrusion.

[0009]The protrusion works as an ejector of the ball. Specifically, when a football or a basketball is thrown at a player, the protrusion enables intrinsic training to a player to catch a ball efficiently without dropping the ball by using his / her extended fingers to catch the ball and not rely on the use of the palm to catch the football or basketball. Thus, if the player attempts to catch the ball with his / her palms the ball is ejected or bounced out by the rubberized / flexible ejector. It is well established by observation and analysis of some of the best football receivers, coaches and trainers, that they are able to catch balls efficiently and effectively with the use of their outstretched or extended fingers rather than their palms. Furthermore, using the fingers to catch the football through the use of extended fingers and not the palms actually increases the yardage on a football field by at least about six inches. For example, the following video on the Internet (dated Aug. 8, 2008) describes the effective catching ability of a well known football receiver Jerry Rice by using his fingers: http: / / newsports.com / 2008 / 08 / 08 / sports-science-chad-johnson-jerry-rice-video / .

[0010]Thus, the most appropriate way, in terms of effectiveness and efficiency, to catch a football or basketball, is with the mid and upper fingers by completely avoiding contact with the palm of the hand. Catching with the palm introduces a ricochet for the ball, causing the ball to bounce out of the grasp of the catcher. Thus, by adding the rubberized, ‘bouncer’ in the palm of the hand introduces substantial increase in the ricochet effect, and trains the wearer to over compensate and exaggerate use of the fingers. Continual constant use will train the player to catch and secure with consistency by improving the dexterity and strength of the fingers. The forced over-use of the fingers also extends the catching range by at least about 6 inches.

[0011]In the present invention all fingers are free and not affixed to the palm of the hand in order to allow full rotation. For example, the thumb is not strapped or connected to any part of the player's palm / hand thereby allowing full 360 degrees motion of the thumb. Free motion of the thumb is necessary for effective and efficient catching of the football or basketball. Thus if the thumb were to be unrestricted, as in the present invention, it allows for “abduction” (viz., the thumb to move away) and “adduction” (viz., the thumb to move towards) relative to the palm / hand. This then allows full flexion and extension of all fingers. By allowing free rotation (abduction / adduction and flexion / extension) this device (training glove or strap) can be used by Occupational and Physical Therapists in rehabilitating patients with brain injuries, strokes, hand injuries and nerve damage to the hand by increasing or improving manual dexterity of the hand and simultaneously increasing strength of fingers.

Problems solved by technology

However, these gloves are generally not designed to train the player securely grasp a ball that is thrown at the player.

In many instances re-using a glove over multiple people may lead to the transmission of skin bacteria between trainees using the same glove.

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