Accessories and accessory sets for football players

Abstract

TITLE: Accessory and Accessory Set for a Football Player The present invention relates to an accessory (15) for a football player (17), comprising a removable support (25) adapted to be slipped around at least one of the player's thighs, and a gripping handle (90) attached at two ends to the support, so as to form a loop (110) through which part of the player's (17) hand passes. The accessory is adapted to be slipped by the player around one of his thighs, so that the gripping handle is in line with the player's arm. Thus, the player can easily slip his hand through the loop or grasp the gripping handle by clenching his four fingers other than the thumb around it. When the player grasps the gripping handle, he is in a natural position that does not hinder his movements. Figure for the abstract: Figure 3

Description

Title of the invention: Accessory and accessory set for football players

[0001] The present invention relates to an accessory and a set of accessories for a football player.

[0002] According to the IFAB (International Football Association Board), the institute in charge of the rules of football worldwide, and in particular according to Law 12 "Fouls and Misconduct: Handball", a foul occurs if a player: - deliberately touches the ball with the arm or hand, for example with a movement of the arm or hand towards the ball; - touches the ball with the arm or hand, having artificially increased the surface area covered by their body.

[0003] A player is considered to have artificially increased the surface area covered by their body when the position of their arm or hand is not a consequence of their body movement in that specific situation or is not justifiable by such movement. The determination of a handball is therefore essentially a question of the intention of the player who touched the ball with their hand.

[0004] The arbitration of handballs is therefore often at the discretion of the referee and differs from one referee to another. The arbitration of handballs is thus often a source of debate.

[0005] The aim of the invention is therefore to provide an accessory for a football player to simplify the arbitration of handball fouls.

[0006] To this end, the invention relates to an accessory for a football player, comprising: - a removable support, suitable for being slipped around at least one of the player's thighs, and - a gripping handle, attached at two ends to the support, so as to form a loop for part of a football player's hand to pass through.

[0007] Thanks to the accessory, particularly the grip handle, the referee can easily determine the player's intention with a complete view of the player's upper limbs, especially their arms and hands, thus simplifying the arbitration of a handball. Indeed, the referee can assume that a player gripping the handle intends to keep their hand and arm against their body, and therefore any contact of their hand or arm with the ball will be unintentional. Furthermore, the invention, when used during successive training sessions, allows to give a player the habit of keeping their hands pressed against their thighs, which leads to an automation of their movements during a match without conscious effort, even if they do not use the accessory of the invention, thus reducing the risk of a hand fault.

[0008] According to other advantageous aspects of the invention, the accessory comprises one or more of the following features, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations: - the gripping handle is made of an elastically deformable material, preferably elastane; - the grip handle is an elastic band; - the elastic band has a width of between 3 centimeters and 8 centimeters and a ribbon length between 12 centimeters and 20 centimeters; - the support is a garment comprising a belt and two legs, the accessory comprising two gripping handles, each gripping handle being respectively attached by the two ends to a respective leg of the garment; - each of the gripping handles is positioned at a distance from the top of the garment of between 10 centimeters and 25 centimeters; - each of the gripping handles is removable from the support; - the support is an elastic band configured to be tightened around the football player's thigh; - the band has a band width of between 5 centimeters and 10 centimeters, preferably equal to 8 centimeters and a band length of between 50 centimeters and 70 centimeters and preferably equal to 60 centimeters.

[0009] The invention also relates to a set of accessories comprising two accessories as described above, each of the accessories being respectively configured to be put on around one leg of the football player.

[0010] The invention will become clearer upon reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the drawings in which:

[0011] [Fig-1] [Fig. 1] is a view of a football player wearing a set of accessories according to a first embodiment of the invention;

[0012] [Fig.2] The [Fig.2] is a larger scale view in frame II of the [Fig.1];

[0013] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a perspective view of the accessory visible in [Fig.2], without the player, the accessory being seen from a different angle than that of [Fig.2];

[0014] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a perspective view of the accessory in [Fig.3], the accessory being put on by a player, not shown;

[0015] [Fig.5] The [Fig.5] is a top view of the accessory of the [Fig.3], placed on a flat surface;

[0016] [Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is a view of an accessory according to a second embodiment of the invention; and

[0017] [Fig.7] The [Fig.7] is a view of the accessory of the [Fig.6] worn by a player.

[0018] A set of 10 accessories 15 for a football player 17 according to a first mode of The implementation is shown in figures 1 to 5.

[0019] The set 10 comprises two accessories 15, each of the accessories 15 being configured to be put on around a respective thigh of the player 17. The accessories 15 are symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry 20 of the player 17.

[0020] Figures 2 to 5 represent the left-hand accessory 15. Its description is transposed to the right-hand accessory by symmetry with respect to plane 20. The left-hand accessory 15 comprises a removable support 25 designed to be slipped around the left thigh of the player 17.

[0021] The support 25 is advantageously an elastic band 30 configured to be tightened around the thigh. Thus, thanks to the elasticity of the elastic band 30, the support 25 adapts to the movements of the player 17, remains in position on the player's thigh 17 and does not hinder their movements.

[0022] The elastic band is, for example, made of elastane or any other elastically deformable textile material.

[0023] The elastic band 30 has, in this example, a rectangular shape delimited by two long edges 35 parallel to each other and by two short edges 40 parallel to each other, perpendicular to the long edges 35 and connecting respectively one end of one long edge 35 with one end of the other long edge 35. Each short edge 40 delimits respectively a first end 45 of the elastic band 30 and a second end 50 of the elastic band 30.

[0024] The elastic band 30 comprises a first face 55 and a second face 60 opposite the first face 55. The first and second faces 55 and 60 are delimited by the long edges 35 and the short edges 40.

[0025] The elastic band 30 advantageously has a band width 65, measured between the two long edges 35 parallel to the short edges 40, of between 5 centimeters and 10 centimeters. The band width 65 is preferably equal to 8 centimeters.

[0026] A length of the elastic band 30, measured between the short edges 40 parallel to the two long edges 35, is advantageously between 50 centimeters and 70 centimeters. The band length 70 is preferably equal to 60 centimeters. The dimensions of the elastic band 30 ensure that the accessory 15 can be used by a player 17 regardless of their body type, and more specifically regardless of their thigh circumference, as it covers all thigh sizes of 17s football players. The accessory 15 is therefore suitable for both a child and a professional 17 player.

[0027] In this example, the accessory 15 includes a fastening system 75 with textile loops and hooks. The fastening system 75 includes a first textile strip 80 comprising textile loops, not shown, and a second textile strip 85 comprising hooks, not shown, adapted to hook the textile loops.

[0028] The first strip of textile 80 is attached, for example sewn, to the first face 55 of the elastic band 30 from the first end 45 and extends along the length of the band 70. A length of textile band 82, measured parallel to the long edges 35, is between 20 centimeters and 30 centimeters and is preferably equal to 25 centimeters

[0029] The second textile strip 85 is fixed, for example sewn, onto the second side 60 of the elastic band 30, near the second end 50.

[0030] Player 17 puts on the accessory 15 by wrapping and tightening the second side 60 of the elastic band 30 around his thigh as shown in [Fig. 4]. The accessory 15 is held in position by the fastening system 47 as shown in [Fig. 3]. The length of the textile band 82 ensures that the fastening system 75 is adaptable regardless of the footballer's body shape.

[0031] Accessory 15 also includes a gripping handle 90.

[0032] The gripping handle 90 is, in this example, a third strip of textile 95 delimited by a third end 100 and a fourth end 105. The third and fourth ends 100 and 105 are attached, in this example sewn, to the support 25 so as to form a loop 110 through which part of a hand of the football player 17 passes.

[0033] The gripping handle 90 is advantageously made of an elastically deformable material, preferably elastane.

[0034] In an alternative not shown, the handle 90 can be fixed to the support by a technique other than sewing, for example by gluing, welding or riveting.

[0035] The gripping handle 90 is advantageously an elastic band 115. The elastic band 115 has a length 120, measured between the third and fourth ends 100 and 105, of between 12 centimeters and 20 centimeters. The elastic band 115 has a width 125, measured perpendicular to the length of the band, of between 3 centimeters and 8 centimeters.

[0036] The third and fourth ends 100 and 105 are, in this example, sewn so that the ribbon length 120 is parallel to the band length 70.

[0037] In an alternative not shown, the lengths 70 and 120 are not parallel. In other words, the handle extends at an angle between the long edges 35.

[0038] An accessory 15 is put on by the player 17 around each of their thighs, so that its gripping handle 90 is in line with the player's arm, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Thus, the player 17 can easily slide their hand into the loop 110 or grasp the gripping handle by squeezing their four fingers other than the thumb around it, as shown in [Fig. 2]. When the player 17 grasps the gripping handle 90, they are in a natural position that does not hinder their movements. Therefore, during a phase of play, the player 17 positions themselves and moves in relation to a ball 127, focusing their attention on the ball, so that they are not focused on the position of their hands relative to their body.

[0039] The grip handle 90 represents a target for the hand of the football player 17. Indeed, the football player 17 must grasp the grip handle as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or slide their hand into the passing loop 110, to demonstrate their intention to keep their arm and hand close to their body. Thus, if the ball is touched by the hand or arm of the player 17, with their hand either inserted into the passing loop 110 or grasping the grip handle 90, a referee can easily rule the situation as not constituting a handball. The accessory 15 therefore facilitates decision-making and the ruling of handballs. Furthermore, the accessory 15 also serves an educational purpose.Indeed, since the grip handle 90 is a target for the hand of player 17, player 17 using accessory 15 in training will develop automatic responses and instinctively reproduce the same movements in matches, even if they are not wearing accessory 15. Thus, using accessory 15 in training will limit handling errors during matches, and player 17's intentions will be more easily identifiable for the referee.

[0040] In an alternative, not shown, the gripping handle is made with a rope attached at two ends to the support 25, so as to form a loop through which part of a hand of the football player 17 passes.

[0041] In an alternative not shown, the fixing handles 90 are removably fixed to the support 25, for example by a hanging system using textile loops and hooks or by snap buttons.

[0042] Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a football player accessory 1015 according to a second embodiment of the invention, the accessory 1015 being identical to the accessory 15 of the first embodiment except for the features described below. The reference numerals for the accessory 1015 correspond to those of Accessory 15 is used when the referenced item is unchanged. Reference numbers are increased by 1000 when they refer to comparable items that have been modified in accessory 1015.

[0043] The accessory 1015 includes a support 1025. The support 1025 is advantageously a garment 1300 intended to cover the lower torso of a player 17. In the example in the figures, the garment is shorts.

[0044] Alternatively, the garment may be sports tracksuit bottoms, leggings, or trousers. What is described below for the 1300 shorts can be transposed to another type of garment.

[0045] The shorts 1300 comprise a waistband 1305 and two legs 1310. Each of the legs 1310 distinctly forms, at a lower end 1311 of the shorts 1300, a leg opening 1312. The legs 1310 extend from the lower end 1311 towards the waistband 1305 and meet towards each other, so that the two leg openings 1312 form a single trunk opening 1313. The waistband 1305 delimits the trunk opening 1313.

[0046] The football player 17 puts on the shorts 1300 by placing each of his legs into one of the legs 1310 of the shorts 1300 and pulling the waistband 1305 up to his waist.

[0047] Advantageously, the accessory 1015 comprises two gripping handles 90, each of the gripping handles 90 being respectively attached by the third and fourth ends 100 and 105 to one of the legs 1310 of the shorts 1300. The gripping handles 90 are attached to the shorts 1300, so that each of the passing loops 110 respectively formed by the gripping handles 90 are in line with the arms of the player 17. In particular, the gripping handles 90 are attached on the outside of the legs 1310, opposite each other.

[0048] Advantageously, each of the gripping handles 90 is positioned at a distance 1315 from the top of the shorts 1300, i.e. from the upper edge of the waistband 1305, measured between the long edge 35 closest to the waistband 1305 and the top of the shorts 1300, between 10 centimeters and 25 centimeters.

[0049] The distance 1315 ensures a positioning of the grip handles 90 so that the player 17 can easily slide part of their hands into them, more specifically their fingers in the example of [Fig. 7]. The distance 1315 varies according to a shorts size 1300 and the standard arm length of the player 17, for a given shorts size.

[0050] The accessory can also be custom-made, particularly for a professional player, to fit the player's body shape. 17 For example, the shorts are adapted to the circumference of the player's thigh 17 and the distance 1315 is adapted to the length of his arms.

[0051] Advantageously, the gripping handles 90 are removable from the support 1025, in this example the shorts 1300. The accessory 1015 includes, for each gripping handle 90, a fastening system 1320 consisting, in this example, of two snap fasteners 1325. A first part 1330 of each of the two snap fasteners 1325 is fixed to the shorts 1300 and a second part 1335 of each of the two snap fasteners 1325 is fixed to the third end 100, respectively to the fourth end 105.

[0052] In an alternative not shown, the 1320 hanging system is a hanging system using textile loops and hooks.

[0053] In an alternative not shown, the 90 attachment handles are permanently fixed to the 1300 shorts, for example by sewing. The other methods of attaching the 90 handles envisaged for the first embodiment are also usable.

[0054] In both embodiments, the player can place his hands, at will, in the configuration of figures 1 and 2 or in the configuration of [Fig.7], in relation to the handles 90. He can even place his hands in one of these configurations on his left side and in the other configuration on his right side, depending on the phase of the game.

[0055] Any feature described above for one embodiment or variant is applicable to the other embodiments and variants described above, insofar as this is technically possible.

Claims

Demands

1. Accessory (15; 1015) for a football player (17), comprising: - a support (25; 1025), removable, suitable for being put around at least one thigh of the player (17), and - a gripping handle (90), attached by two ends (100; 105) to the support (25; 1025), so as to form a loop (110) for passing through part of a hand of the football player (17).

2. Accessory (15; 1015) according to the preceding claim, wherein the gripping handle (90) is made of an elastically deformable material, preferably elastane.

3. Accessory (15; 1015) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the gripping handle (90) is an elastic band (115).

4. Accessory (15; 1015) according to claim 3, wherein the elastic band (115) has a band width (125) between 3 centimeters and 8 centimeters and a band length (120) between 12 centimeters and 20 centimeters.

5. Accessory (1015) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support (1025) is a garment (1300) comprising a belt (1305) and two legs (1310), the accessory (1015) comprising two gripping handles (90), each gripping handle (90) being respectively attached by the two ends (100; 105) to a respective leg (1310) of the garment (1300).

6. Accessory (1015) according to claim 5, wherein each of the gripping handles (90) is positioned at a distance (1315) from the top of the garment (1300) of between 10 centimeters and 25 centimeters.

7. Accessory (1015) according to any one of the preceding claims 5 or 6, wherein each of the gripping handles (90) is removable from the support (1025).

8. Accessory (15) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support (25) is an elastic band (80) configured to be tightened around the thigh of the football player (17).

9. Accessory (15) according to claim 8, wherein the band (80) has a band width (65) between 5 centimeters and 10

10. centimeters, preferably equal to 8 centimeters and a band length (70) between 50 centimeters and 70 centimeters and preferably equal to 60 centimeters. Accessory set (10) comprising two accessories (15) according to any one of claims 8 or 9, each of the accessories (15) being respectively configured to be put on around one leg of the football player (17).

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